Michael pairs a strong service-centric mindset with consistent actions that combine urgency, ownership, and follow-through. A multi-generation Bentonville native, Michael learned from his parents and grandparents of the importance of a life rooted in the principles of service, integrity, and contributing to the betterment of others.  

Michael established United Country Real Estate Rateliff Lifestyle Properties alongside his brother Matt in January 2020. The partnership is part of a leading, fully integrated network of conventional and auction real estate professionals across the nation, specializing in lifestyle and country real estate marketing since 1925. 

Michael also serves as owner of Burr Oak Group, a company that provides sales and supply chain-related services to current or potential Walmart and Sam’s Club vendors. Benefitting from a combination of Michael’s analytical proficiency, product expertise, and deep retail experience, Burr Oak Group is fueled by an owner’s mindset and focused on driving results.

While supporting vendors’ growth within the nation’s largest retailer, Michael also spearheads the growth of a patented and trademarked product as the co-owner of 12 Stone Brands. The Landle, an adjustable lifting and moving strap, is available in all fifty states with current and previous customers including Walmart, QVC, U-Haul, Amazon, Menards, True Value, and Home Depot.  Since acquiring The Landle in 2017, sales have grown exponentially driven by a focus on process improvements, including a full product rebranding and scaling of manufacturing and distribution as well as continuous product improvement efforts. 

As a leader at The Harvest Group, Michael spent five years leading a six-person cross-functional team focused on servicing consumer packaged goods companies across several departments at both Walmart and Sam’s Club.      

Michael acquired a strong foundation of analytical proficiency and strategic focus during his early career experience at Walmart and The Hershey Company.  Through both formal training and development programs as well as role-specific learnings, Michael’s early experiences in contract negotiations, annual business planning, forecasting, and analysis strengthened a core set of transferrable skills that he applied throughout his career.   

Michael’s dedication to service may be best-exemplified through his time as an AmeriCorps Member, which involved a ten-month commitment to serving communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina. After completing over 1,700 hours of service, Michael was recognized with the Congressional Award for Voluntuntary Public Service. 

When he’s not at work, Michael and his wife, Lindsay, are busy raising their two energetic children, Clara and Paul. The family spends their time leading community group at Fellowship Bible Church, hunting and fishing on their farm, and enjoying the Northwest Arkansas walking and biking trails. Michael also serves as a Delta Waterfowl Benton County Chapter planning committee member. 

Michael earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration degree (Finance and Real Estate) and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.