Michael Zerbonia
Major General
Illinois Army National Guard
About Michael Zerbonia
Major General Michael Zerbonia (Ret.) brings more than 38 years of military service and 28 years in law enforcement to his keynote. He most recently served as Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard, leading more than 10,500 soldiers. Over the course of his career, he held key leadership roles at every level, including commanding brigades, battalions, and multinational teams, and serving as Deputy Brigade Commander with the Polish Army in Afghanistan. His military service included deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, along with missions across Europe and the Middle East.
In his civilian career, General Zerbonia rose through the ranks of the Illinois State Police, retiring as Colonel of Operations where he led over 1,800 troopers and 250 civilian staff. A highly decorated leader, his awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star. In his presentation, General Zerbonia shares real-world lessons on building high-performing teams and developing leaders, brought to life through powerful stories from his decades of service in both the military and law enforcement.