meet mike
The Early Years
Born and raised on a small farm in eastern South Dakota, Mike learned at a very young age the value of a hard day’s work and what it means to pour your heart and soul into a profession that did not always cooperate. Having parents who provided tremendous support with high expectations about committing to something greater than yourself and employing the golden rule at every opportunity were the beginning stages of who he has become.
Being the youngest of six children in a highly competitive house provided some additional “growth opportunities” along the way. This would be the beginning of a life of learning, growing, competing, winning, and losing all while developing a tremendous foundation. This foundation was the commencement of “training” for the broad range of skills that make him a highly effective communicator and teacher, focusing on how to be the best version of ourselves in all we do.
Professional Career
Mike has been speaking, training, and consulting for over twenty years. At just 25 years of age, he had completed a term as a City Commissioner in Brookings, South Dakota. It was then that he decided to start his own business, Oster Consulting, a Human Resources and Labor Relations consulting firm. Working with public and private organizations in these areas, Mike decided to obtain a Master of Science in Industrial Management and a certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources in order to better serve his clients.
Military Career
Mike enlisted in the Army National Guard as a senior in high school and later attended Officer Candidate School to become an officer, which provided additional leadership and motivational training in that arena as well.
In 2000, Mike agreed to serve on what was to be a three-year tour as an Executive Officer to a 2 star general. The events of 9/11 would change that plan. In the early 2000’s Mike was assigned as the Operations Officer for a Battalion Headquarters and would assist in deploying multiple units and several hundred Soldiers.
In 2004 Mike deployed to Iraq to work with the Rapid Fielding Initiative. Upon return in 2005 Mike committed to continuing on active duty in the Army National Guard for the next 15 years. He would deploy again in 2013 as a Battalion Commander in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar Afghanistan.
Mike would go on to complete the United States Army War College through a fellowship in International Studies at the University of Denver. He served as a Brigade Commander, Deputy Commanding General for Mobilization at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Seattle, WA and The Assistant Adjutant General for the South Dakota Army National Guard. Mike retired in 2022 with 36 years of service having attained the rank of Brigadier General.
Mike’s awards include the Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army and Air Force Commendation Medals along with numerous other awards and decorations.
On Purpose with Passion
Mike’s two main passions, besides being a husband to his wife Jo since 1988 and father to four amazing children, are serving his country and providing motivational, inspirational, and educational seminars to a variety of groups and organizations around the country. He truly believes that we can all live in a place where excellence becomes the average in all that we do. When we make excellence our average on a good day, we are spectacular, and on a bad day we are still great!
Mike owns multiple small businesses, continues to serve on a number of volunteer boards and committees, and works with numerous military and non-military non-profit organizations.
When he is not working you can find Mike and his wife Jo out golfing, boating, hiking, riding their Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling, trying to keep up with their grandson or just hanging out with family and friends.
