As a native North Carolinian, Michael graduated from The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. In 1974, he completed the International Business Executive Program at Manchester University United Kingdom.

Michael's career began in the paper industry as a corporate marketing trainee with International Paper. During his 28 years at IP, he held key positions with the Container Division in the U.S. and Europe before being elected VP of the Containerboard, Kraft Paper, and Kraft Packaging divisions. In that role, he was responsible for all phases of IP's containerboard and kraft papers around the world.

In 1995, Michael joined Pratt Industries as a director with global responsibility for containerboard. He was named deputy CEO in 1998. He was also elected president of the World Containerboard Organization (Brussels, Belgium) in 2012, and chairman in June 2014..

Michael  served on the board of directors of numerous industry associations including TAPPI for many years and was a founding member of the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation. In 2014, he was recognized as one of the "50 most influential leaders in the global pulp and paper industry."

The family are longtime residents of Atlanta, Ga., and Kiawah Island, S.C. Michael enjoyed tennis, traveling the globe, and spending memorable beach time with his grandchildren. Being a man with a big personality, he could fill a room. He was most loved for being a nurturer of friendships for which he had many around the world. 

Michael is survived by Renie, his wife of 49 years, his married daughters, Kristan Hampton and Cortney Bishop, and grandchildren Lily, Emma, Ryder , and Lucy Kohl.

He was a member of Mt. Bethel Methodist Church located at 4385 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta, Ga. 30068. Next Tuesday, May 26, a visitation will be held at the church commencing at 1:00 p.m. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m., followed by the burial at Arlington Memorial Park located at 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, Ga. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Donations can be made online or mailed to 5775 Glenridge Dr., Building B, Suite 370, Atlanta, Ga. 30328.