Michael West is a distinguished education veteran with over 35 years dedicated to shaping minds in the field. Starting as a science educator and sports coach in Arkansas City High School, he rose through the ranks to become the Colusa County Superintendent of Schools in 2015. A South Dakota native, West's journey in education spanned South Dakota, Kansas, Wyoming, and California. His profound impact is marked by his active roles in 12 local committees and a successful 36-year stint managing a family-run convenience store. Holding a B.S. in Physical Education from Black Hills State University and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Brandman University, he is also a 2nd-degree black belt in martial arts. His accomplishments include inductions into the Black Hills State University and Colusa County Halls of Fame, and prestigious recognitions as the Best Public Official in 2021 and recipient of the "California County Superintendents Executive Leadership Award" in 2023.

West's career is a testament to his dedication to community upliftment and educational excellence.West, CEO of Ace East Publishing LLC, is a dynamic force in the literary world, specializing in publishing works across a wide range of genres. In the past year alone-he has published fifteen books, with many more exciting projects on the horizon. Upcoming releases include books on innovative uses of AI in the classroom, a seven-volume diabetic cookbook series, multi-language guides to recovering from toxic relationships, and essential life skills for teens, among dozens of other titles. Each book is available in eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook formats, ensuring accessibility for every reader.West's passion for literacy, particularly in early childhood education, has been a driving force throughout his career. His personal journey is a testament to the power of reading-despite struggling with literacy throughout school, he developed a love for reading during his first year of college, thanks to the guidance of a theology professor at Augustana College-the transformative influence of the book Word Power Made Easy. That experience, he says, "changed my life," and now, through Ace East Publishing, he strives to help others discover the life-changing power of literacy.