Michael King is a transformative executive leader whose career has been defined by building world-class manufacturing organizations, leading complex industrial transformations, and creating long-term value across aerospace, defense, advanced materials, industrial technology, and critical manufacturing sectors. With more than 21 years of executive leadership experience, Michael has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to bridge engineering expertise with strategic business leadership, enabling organizations to accelerate growth, strengthen operational excellence, and compete successfully in highly technical global markets. His leadership philosophy centers on disciplined execution, thoughtful strategy, and creating organizations that are designed not only to succeed today but to remain resilient for decades to come.
Currently serving as Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Basilion Group, Michael advises investors, boards of directors, executive leadership teams, and industrial organizations navigating periods of growth, transformation, ownership transition, and market expansion. Through his advisory practice, he provides executive-level guidance in business transformation, operational scale-up, mergers and acquisitions, market entry, foreign direct investment, and executive leadership development. Drawing upon decades of firsthand operational experience, Michael partners directly with decision-makers to solve complex business challenges while helping organizations position themselves for sustainable long-term success.
Prior to founding Basilion Group, Michael served as Chief Executive Officer of SeAH Superalloy Technologies, where he led one of the most significant advanced manufacturing investments in the United States. Backed by more than $150 million in foreign direct investment, he directed every aspect of the company’s greenfield development, including site selection, economic incentive negotiations, organizational design, construction execution, manufacturing readiness, commercial strategy, customer development, commissioning, and long-term operational planning. Under his leadership, the organization progressed from concept to operational readiness in approximately twenty-four months while remaining on schedule and under budget, establishing a critical domestic source of nickel-based superalloys supporting the aerospace, defense, and industrial gas turbine industries.
Michael’s leadership extends well beyond capital development projects. Throughout his executive career, he has successfully led organizations with annual P&L responsibility exceeding $450 million while directing teams of up to 185 employees across manufacturing, engineering, finance, commercial operations, supply chain, quality, information technology, and human resources. His ability to unite cross-functional teams behind a common strategic vision has enabled organizations to improve profitability, modernize manufacturing operations, implement digital transformation initiatives, strengthen quality systems, and build scalable infrastructures capable of supporting sustained growth. His leadership style combines operational discipline with a deep understanding of people, recognizing that strong organizations are built through capable teams empowered by clear direction and accountability.
Earlier in his career, Michael held executive leadership positions with Cannon-Muskegon Corporation, where he served in multiple senior leadership roles, ultimately becoming President and General Manager. There, he strengthened operational performance while expanding international business across Europe, Asia, South America, and other strategic global markets. He successfully negotiated long-term customer agreements approaching $800 million in value, increased EBIT performance through pricing discipline and operational efficiencies, modernized commercial strategies, and strengthened the company’s position as a global supplier of specialty superalloys serving aerospace, industrial gas turbine, medical, and investment casting markets. His leadership helped transform Cannon-Muskegon into an increasingly competitive global enterprise capable of supporting demanding customers across highly regulated industries.
Michael also served as Group Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Cone Drive, a private equity-backed precision motion control company operating across more than thirty industrial markets worldwide. During this period, he led global commercial transformation efforts following strategic acquisitions, redesigned international sales organizations, expanded distribution networks by more than four hundred locations, established a European commercial office, and directed company-wide branding and digital transformation initiatives. His ability to align commercial strategy with operational capabilities positioned the organization for accelerated global growth while strengthening customer relationships across multiple continents.
His professional foundation was established through engineering and industrial automation leadership roles with Keyence and 3DVision Technologies, where he developed extensive expertise in manufacturing technologies, automation systems, machine vision, additive manufacturing, and engineering software solutions. These early experiences provided Michael with a practical understanding of manufacturing environments and customer operations that continues to shape his executive decision-making today. By combining engineering knowledge with financial acumen earned through his MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, he developed the unique ability to communicate effectively with engineers, operators, executives, investors, and board members alike.
International business has remained a defining component of Michael’s career. Having conducted business throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and the United Kingdom for more than fifteen years, he has successfully led multinational partnerships, negotiated cross-border agreements, and managed culturally diverse organizations supporting complex global supply chains. His work has included significant business development efforts across France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Turkey, Tunisia, and numerous other international markets. This global perspective enables him to recognize opportunities that extend beyond domestic borders while helping organizations navigate increasingly interconnected manufacturing ecosystems.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Michael has demonstrated a strong commitment to corporate governance and strategic leadership through his service on the Board of Directors for SeAH and Cone Drive, where he gained valuable experience supporting private equity ownership, executive oversight, and long-term strategic planning. He is also an active contributor to the manufacturing community through industry publications, news features, press releases, social media engagement, and speaking engagements. His presentations have focused on advanced manufacturing innovation, including his invitation to speak at the European Investment Casting Conference regarding groundbreaking greenfield manufacturing processes, reinforcing his reputation as a respected thought leader within the advanced manufacturing sector.
Michael’s educational background reflects both technical excellence and business leadership. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Western Michigan University before completing his Master of Business Administration in General Management from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Throughout his career, he has continued investing in executive education, corporate governance, strategic planning, financial management, leadership development, negotiation, and advanced manufacturing disciplines. His technical expertise, combined with executive leadership capabilities, allows him to evaluate complex business opportunities from both operational and financial perspectives.
Outside of his professional career, Michael enjoys reading, golfing, recreational shooting, and international travel. These interests reflect his lifelong commitment to learning, discipline, and experiencing diverse cultures. He believes exceptional leadership comes from continual personal growth, intellectual curiosity, and the willingness to embrace new perspectives. As he pursues additional board opportunities, Michael is motivated by the opportunity to apply more than two decades of executive leadership experience to help organizations navigate transformation, accelerate growth, strengthen governance, and create lasting value for shareholders, employees, customers, and communities. His passion for strategy, industrial innovation, and organizational excellence continues to define both his career and his vision for the future.
Character:
Michael leads with integrity, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to delivering on the promises he makes to employees, customers, investors, and stakeholders. His leadership reflects humility, professionalism, and a genuine belief that sustainable success is built through trust, transparency, and disciplined execution.
Knowledge:
With deep expertise spanning advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, specialty materials, executive management, commercial strategy, and international business, Michael brings a rare combination of technical understanding and executive business acumen. His engineering background and MBA education allow him to translate complex operational challenges into practical business solutions that drive measurable results.
Strategic:
Michael consistently demonstrates an ability to envision long-term opportunities while successfully executing the detailed operational plans necessary to achieve them. From leading $150 million greenfield investments to negotiating billion-dollar customer relationships and guiding global business transformations, he approaches every challenge with thoughtful analysis and decisive leadership.
Communication:
A confident executive communicator who effectively connects with boards, investors, customers, government officials, employees, and international partners. Whether delivering keynote presentations, negotiating strategic agreements, or leading executive teams, he communicates with clarity, credibility, and a collaborative leadership style that inspires confidence and drives alignment.
