HighLine exists to bridge a specific gap. The protein industry is handing the keys from a generation of leaders who built it on cycles, relationships, and reps to a generation that grew up on data. The numbers are sharper than they have ever been. The muscle memory for what to do when the numbers stop making sense is not. We close that gap, week by week, decision by decision.
Michael has spent more than thirty years inside the protein supply chain. Buyer side, seller side, slaughter floor, butcher’s block, aging room, customer table. He has lived through the cycles, run the procurement books, and watched the industry move from relationship-and-rolodex to dashboard-and-data.
He has bought beef when the cutout was running away from the buyer and sold pork when the freezer was running ahead of demand. He has sat with growers when the contract terms broke down and with retailers when the feature ad hit the wrong week. He has walked plants in three regions, watched yields move with the temperature in the cooler, and learned that the difference between a good week and a sideways one is rarely in the dashboard. It is in what you do with what the dashboard tells you.
He started HighLine because the playbook is shifting hands. The leaders who built the modern protein industry are handing the keys to a generation that grew up with more data and fewer reps. The veteran two desks over, the one who used to lean across and tell you what the print actually meant, is gone. HighLine is the read that desk used to give. Every Tuesday morning, before the week gets loud.
Michael returns to Damian Mason on why Americans keep eating more protein despite higher prices and alternatives, and whether that demand holds.
Watch the conversation on YouTube
A straight conversation with Burnt co-founder Joseph Jacob on where the protein industry is headed, and the succession gap holding it back.
Watch the conversation on YouTube
Michael joins Damian Mason with ten predictions on where US agriculture is headed through 2026. The calls on beef, China, and consumer behavior already look prescient.
Watch the conversation on YouTubeWhere the protein industry talks to itself, HighLine is in the room. A short list of the associations and forums that keep the read sharp.
Membership in the import-and-export forum that tracks the trade flows we write about every week.
The trade voice of the protein industry in Washington and beyond.
The advisory group connected to the Business of Agriculture network.
HighLine is a protein industry advisory firm. We write the read that helps protein industry leaders act on the data they already have. We are not a broker, not a desk, not a research house with a model in search of a buyer. We are the read the desk next to you used to give, scaled for an industry where that desk is empty more often than not.
Four leaders who have bought, sold, and built alongside Michael, in their words.
“We worked with Michael for many years, and he was an incredible partner — thoughtful, genuine, and never transactional. He took the time to truly understand our business and our people, and that made all the difference. Michael brings a unique ability to collaborate on customized solutions that create true mutual value. He listens deeply, understands the nuances of our supply chain, and translates complex challenges into strategies that improve yield, efficiency, and ultimately, the customer experience. His approach reflects both expertise and partnership — a combination that’s rare and incredibly impactful. He wasn’t just a great collaborator — he became a friend.”
Ashli Blumenfeld
Co-President, Standard Meat Company
“Michael has been a valuable asset for us in market analysis, long-term strategy, and vision. His data-driven analytical approach has delivered measurable impact, translating market intelligence into practical strategies that enhance our competitive advantage and strategic planning.”
Greg Martin
Chief Commercial Officer, Mosner Family Brands
“Michael approached our work together with curiosity, intelligence, and a genuine commitment to partnership. His understanding of the protein markets helped bring clarity to important decisions, and he always balanced that expertise with a sincere interest in finding the right outcome for both parties. He listened well, communicated openly, and consistently acted with professionalism and integrity. Michael earned our trust because he brought both expertise and heart to the relationship.”
Ben Rosenthal
Co-President, Standard Meat Company
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Michael for many years as a friend, customer, and industry peer. His integrity and genuine curiosity set him apart, and his deep knowledge of sourcing and the protein markets is second to none. Michael is thoughtful, responsive, and approaches every interaction with professionalism and care. He’s the kind of person who not only elevates the work but also the people around him.”
Laura Zinger
Director of Sales, Seafax
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