Born and raised in Bellevue, Washington, Michael grew up in a family with a rich history of entrepreneurial business operators in the Northwest. This legacy stretches back to 1890, when his great-grandfather, George H. Bartell, moved to Seattle as a pharmacy apprentice. After falling ill, George went to Bainbridge Island to recover before returning to buy the pharmacy he worked at from a retiring owner; renaming it Bartell Drugs.

This family business heritage inspired his passion for locally-owned companies that serve as pillars of their communities. Michael's first job was stocking shelves and standing behind a cash register at the Bartell Drugs in South Lake Union before eventually working with the management team to drive projects spanning from distribution fulfillment to growth marketing. At Bartell's, Michael learned how every business is a people business and how companies can serve as stewards of their communities for generations.

Bainbridge Legacy Capital was founded in 2025 to find, acquire, and operate an enduringly profitable business in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to Bainbridge Legacy Capital, Michael worked for Elmore Companies, a Family Office that buys and operates small businesses with an indefinite timeframe, assisting in acquisitions. Michael also worked for the department store Macy's and owned P&Ls as a Buyer in Women's Shoes and later oversaw e-commerce for Fragrances. Outside of work, he loves to be outdoors playing Ultimate Frisbee, Skiing, and Hiking.

Michael holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Emory University.