Michael is certified as a Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism Guide by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division. Michael is responsible for instructing and guiding a diverse group of clients, many with limited or no kayaking experience. Guided trips range from two hours to multi-day camping expeditions to remote areas of the Georgia Coast. Michael uses his certification as a Kayak Touring Instructor by developing and providing basic guide training… Show more Michael is certified as a Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism Guide by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division. Michael is responsible for instructing and guiding a diverse group of clients, many with limited or no kayaking experience. Guided trips range from two hours to multi-day camping expeditions to remote areas of the Georgia Coast. Michael uses his certification as a Kayak Touring Instructor by developing and providing basic guide training programs for new hires. Michael's personal experience includes over twenty years of sea kayaking, with extended expeditions to the Discovery Islands of British Columbia, Coastal Maine and Coastal Georgia. Michael is known for his knowledge and practical application of expedition planning, logistics, leadership, navigation, safety equipment, rough water paddling techniques, tidal currents and rapids, rescue techniques and evaluating weather conditions. Show less

Michael was awarded a contract to develop training programs to combat international wildlife trafficking. Training a group of twenty elite national park investigators for Gabon, Africa, became the priority. Michael subsequently developed a program, assembled a team of instructors and traveled to Gabon for presentation of the Program.

SA Northrup led the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Department of Defense (DoD) Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) from April 2008 to January 2014. During SA Northrup’s tenure as the Director for Training, his initiatives led to a fifty percent increase in staffing. The increase was brought about by his development of additional training programs, improving existing programs and increasing training… Show more SA Northrup led the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Department of Defense (DoD) Training Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) from April 2008 to January 2014. During SA Northrup’s tenure as the Director for Training, his initiatives led to a fifty percent increase in staffing. The increase was brought about by his development of additional training programs, improving existing programs and increasing training standards by pursuing and acheiving accreditation through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA). SA Northrup directly supervised and mentored five national program managers and two administrative support personnel. Supervisory appraisals validated SA Northrup’s ability to lead and maintain a strong team based work atmosphere among his direct reports. His supervisor also recognized SA Northrup’s ability to work well with the ninety plus other law enforcement agencies represented at the FLETC. SA Northrup was recognized as the DCIS technical authority on law enforcement training policy, critical incident stress management and fit for duty issues. Prior to transferring to the DCIS Training Academy, SA Northrup worked in the field where he independently developed and conducted sensitive, complex, multi-year investigations concerning allegations of criminal activity affecting the DoD. Experiences included: making arrests, acting in an undercover capacity, serving multiple complex Federal search warrants, testifying before Federal Grand Juries, utilizing confidential informants, body wires, polygraphs and mail covers. SA Northrup was the recipient of multiple outstanding performance appraisals during his career, as well as, the prestigious DCIS Million Dollar Club Award for monetary recoveries in excess of one million dollars. Upon retirement, Michael received special recognition by the bestowal of the OIG’s Distinguished Career Achievement Award. Show less

SA Northrup conducted personnel security investigations of individuals associated with the Department of Defense (DoD), both military and civilian, as well as, DoD contractor personnel to determine their suitability for access to classified or sensitive security information. SA Northrup assumed responsibility for an extensive case load in an assigned area and assured completion of the same in a timely manner while working independently in the field.

As a Seasonal Ranger, Mike assisted with the daily feeding, cleaning and general care of wild animals native to Illinois, e.g., bison, elk, black bear, cougar and waterfowl. Mike also assisted with the construction and maintenance of the large outdoor natural animal habitat enclosures.