Michael Leist

Michael Leist is a long-tenured member of the Senior Executive Service at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), where he serves as the Director of Strategy, Policy, and Requirements. He directs financial management policy, agency strategy, and enterprise risk management for the Department of Defense. He holds a bachelors in Accounting from Indiana University.

His long career with DFAS, which began in 1992, includes various leadership positions such as Chief of Staff for the Deputy Director, Operations, and Director of Enterprise Management Services. He also holds a Level III Department of Defense Financial Management Certification and has been involved with the Association of Government Accountants.

He entered the prestigious Senior Executive Service in January 2016, a notable achievement for career federal employees.