Michael Sears leads the Leadership Innovation Laboratory, where he introduces faculty, staff and students to some of the latest developments in technology and science, with the aim of making learning deeper, more relevant, and more interesting. The Laboratory produces products with Virtual and Augmented Reality, Social Media attributes and Artificial Intelligence. Every student Midshipman takes at least one class per year in Leadership, Ethics, Character and the Law.
He is a 30-year veteran of California’s Silicon Valley where he worked in both large and small technology companies. He worked his way through the ranks to become a CEO of a technology company, and the founder of an Internet media company. During that time, he was granted three U.S. patents. He spent 10 years as a Palo Alto-based Venture Capitalist and has been a board member in both private and public companies, for-profit as well as non-profits. He is currently a member of the National Executive Committee and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America.
Mr. Sears holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy, and earned three letters in track and field, plus a freshman letter in crew. He earned both a Juris Doctorate degree and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.
Before graduate school, Mr. Sears served as a Marine Officer in an infantry battalion as the unit’s Intelligence Officer, and the sniper and surveillance Platoon Commander. After earning his Naval Aerial Observer wings, Mr. Sears served as a Flight Officer in a reconnaissance squadron.
