Michael leads the preparation and implementation of financial strategies, policies, procedures and controls in order to ensure financial objectives and stability are met. Prior to founding VerAleo in 2015, Michael was a Partner in the boutique tax law firm Ivins, Phillips & Barker for over 20 years, and, prior to that, he was a CPA in the firm, Ernst & Young (formerly Ernst & Ernst). With over four decades of experience, Michael is a nationally recognized expert in issues relating to the Federal Tax Code, Corporate Accounting, Audit Defense, Estate & Gift Tax, Professional Responsibilities and Securities & Creditor’s Rights. In private practice, he counseled and protected many of the world’s largest corporations, including FedEx, Disney, Heinz, AIG, Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Xerox, Boeing, Milliken, ARAMCO (to name a few), against IRS inquiries and audits. Michael received his B.S. degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina, where he finished ranked 1st in his class and valedictorian. He obtained his J.D. degree Magna Cum Laude from the University of Michigan.
