Born in Guyana, Stephen Michael immigrated to the United States at the age of 14. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Infantry in 1988. His distinguished military career spanned more than 32 years and included deployments to Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Iraq, Ghana, Nigeria, Israel, and Afghanistan. Michael led light and airborne infantry formations, commanding at every level through brigade and serving in a variety of leadership positions around the world. He was ultimately promoted to brigadier general, culminating his career as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center–Training, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
During the ceremony marking his retirement from the military, Michael explained to attendees why his story could only have been told in the United States: “What’s happening right now in our country can’t happen anywhere else on the planet. Driving change for the people, of the people, and by the people. This country is not perfect — you know why? Because it is made up of people like me and you, human, frail, suffering from like passions but who are also capable of great things.” For his service to his country, in 2022 Michael received the Outstanding Americans by Choice honor from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, recognizing naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to both their community and to their adopted country. He is currently executive and market director of the Kansas City and Wichita offices of UBS, overseeing financial advisors and team associates who manage a combined total of over $7.6 billion in client assets.
