Michael Stone is an experienced travel and tourism industry expert, with extensive hands-on operating experience in travel agency, tour operating, cruise, transportation, tourism, and hospitality operations. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Hospitality and Tourism Management; a Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE); and a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) in insurance and risk management.

His industry experience includes the successful ownership and operation of a large multi-location travel and cruise agency business; CEO and President of one of the largest tour operating businesses in the US; involvement with international tour operating; hotel sales, management and marketing experience with several major hotel brands; and the successful creation of two travel industry software development companies focused on travel management, tour operating, travel agency management, hotel operations and reservations and online booking.

Through his consulting business, Gestation, Stone provides expert witness services, as well as business management, development, and technology consulting to travel agencies, tour operators, hospitality companies, travel destinations, and other travel and tourism related businesses.