Michael S. Goldstein, Esq.

(Senior Legal Advisor & Board Member, eGeneration Foundation)

Michael S. Goldstein’s journey to the forefront of advanced nuclear innovation has been anything but ordinary. As Senior Legal Advisor and a Board Member of the eGeneration Foundation – an Ohio-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing Generation IV molten salt reactor (MSR) technology – he helps champion energy solutions with profound environmental, national security, and economic benefits. Michael’s career path weaves together service and innovation: from the depths of nuclear submarines to the halls of nuclear power plants and legislative chambers, his passion for safe, clean, abundant, and affordable energy is rooted in decades of experience, and he brings a storyteller’s perspective to eGeneration’s mission of applying cutting-edge MSR technology to solve real-world problems.

Legal Leadership in the Energy Sector

Michael began his civilian career as a trailblazer in the utility industry. He served as a Senior Attorney with the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) for nine years, where he broke new ground as the first CEI attorney stationed at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Northeast Ohio. In this pioneering role, he provided on-site legal counsel during the Plant’s construction, navigating complex regulatory and safety compliance issues. Michael’s work at Perry exemplified his ability to create bridges between CEI and its contractors, both union and non-union; municipal, county, state, and federal agencies and regulators; engineering challenges; and legal requirements, ensuring that one of Ohio’s first nuclear facilities operated safely and within the law. This early experience in nuclear energy law helped spark his enduring commitment to innovative energy solutions – a commitment he passionately carried into his leadership at eGeneration.

Distinguished Naval Intelligence Service

Before and alongside his legal career, Michael Goldstein answered the call to service in the United States Navy, embarking on a remarkable 30-year journey in military intelligence. He served on active duty as a Navy linguist, both at overseas stations, and sea duty aboard a nuclear submarine, in communication and covert operations beneath the oceans’ surface. Following his active service, as both an enlisted man and then as a commissioned officer, Michael continued in the active Naval Reserve for 26 additional years, rising through the ranks of naval intelligence with key leadership roles as Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of several Naval Security Group units, guiding intelligence teams vital to national security. By the time he retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander (Cryptology Officer), Michael had established himself as a respected intelligence officer known for his strategic vision and dedication. This distinguished military career not only instilled in him a deep sense of duty, but also a unique insight into the intersection of technology, history, and security – insights that now inform his advocacy for advanced nuclear technology as a pillar of both environmental progress and national defense.

Advocacy and Community Leadership

Michael S. Goldstein has never been one to quietly retire his sense of duty. Today, he remains an active public advocate and community leader, leveraging his expertise in both energy and intelligence for the greater good. He served for several years as President of the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO), a national organization of former and active intelligence professionals dedicated to educating the public on the need for a strong intelligence community. In this role, Michael led initiatives to share intelligence insights and to support those who have served, reflecting his ongoing commitment to national security education.

Michael frequently has presented testimony to the Ohio General Assembly, the Tennessee General Assembly, and now to the Arizona Legislature on issues of Energy, Education, and Civil rights, drawing on his unique background to inform state policy. Lawmakers and community leaders alike have come to respect his voice, which combines technical knowledge with a profound understanding of how secure, reliable, and abundant energy underpins America’s future. Whether advocating for next-generation reactors or improved educational standards, Michael’s focus is always on building a safer, more prosperous world for the next generation.

He is also deeply engaged in civic and professional organizations that benefit from his leadership and experience. His community involvement spans multiple states and causes, and includes:

• Life Trustee, Beachwood, Ohio Chamber of Commerce – providing guidance to promote local business and community development.

• USS Cod Submarine Memorial Committee – helping preserve the legacy of the historic WWII-era USS Cod (SS 224) in Cleveland, reflecting his naval and submarine heritage.

• Northeast Ohio Law Directors Association – participating in professional forums to support municipal law directors and public-sector attorneys.

• Veterans & Civic Speaker – volunteering as a guest speaker to veterans’ groups and civic organizations on topics of national security, intelligence, foreign policy, and energy, sharing lessons from his extensive career.

• Published articles on national security, education, and veterans’ rights issues.

Through these roles, Michael continues to serve others and inspire action, embodying the spirit of leadership in every community he touches.

Education and Professional Credentials

A strong academic foundation underpins Michael’s professional accomplishments. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Political Science, and History from Michigan State University, demonstrating his early drive to understand the world from multiple perspectives. He went on to obtain his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, launching his career as an attorney where he practiced Municipal Law, Employment Law, and Energy Law, both for municipalities, corporations, and for 30 years as president of his own law firm, equipped to tackle complex legal and policy challenges. These credentials reflect not only his legal expertise but also his commitment to upholding the rule of law at every level. In his role at eGeneration, Michael’s blend of legal acumen and policy insight is invaluable in navigating legislative and regulatory landscapes, as well as forging strategic alliances to advance the Foundation’s mission.

Personal Life and Values

Though his professional endeavors are rooted in Ohio, Michael now resides in Arizona, while maintaining strong ties across state lines. This year, he authored a bipartisan educational civil rights bill, which passed the Arizona House and Senate. He and his wife, Beverly Goldstein, Ph.D., are partners in both life and advocacy. Both are active in national organizations such as Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN) and ACT for America, reflecting their shared passion for defending freedom and combating discrimination. Michael serves as General Counsel and Arizona State Director for PJTN, working to educate and mobilize communities in support of the Jewish people and the principles of religious liberty. Michael and Beverly are passionate Americans and devout Jews who strongly support religious freedom for all faiths, living out their belief that a just society must protect the rights of every individual to worship freely. This commitment to faith and freedom is yet another thread in the rich tapestry of Michael’s life of service.

From the nuclear corridors of a power plant to the decks of a submarine, and from courtrooms to legislative and community halls, Michael S. Goldstein’s story is one of dedication, leadership, and hope. His breadth of experience – in law, history, military intelligence and national security, energy policy, and civic activism – converges in his work with eGeneration Foundation, where he helps steer this amazing next generation of technology to provide abundance and prosperity for the next generation of Americans. Professional, principled, and passionate about making a difference, Michael continues to inspire those around him while advancing a vision of clean, almost limitless energy and a safer world.