Michael Schmitt
Managing Member in Round Rock, Texas, United States
When Michael Schmitt founded Central Tox LLC in 2014, doing business as Semper Fi Labs, he set out to prove that a laboratory could deliver reliable results while meeting the highest standards of quality and compliance in a heavily regulated industry. Building that company required more than scientific know-how. It demanded thoughtful organizational design, disciplined processes, and a long-term commitment to improvement.
One of his defining decisions was to build rather than buy. Instead of relying solely on commercial software, he led development of Elevate, a proprietary laboratory information system designed around the company's operations, compliance obligations, and customer needs. The custom platform gave Central Tox flexibility, workflow efficiency, and the ability to adapt as technology and regulation evolved.
His approach centered on systems that scale without sacrificing quality. He established repeatable processes, clear accountability, and a culture where operational excellence was the standard rather than the exception. The results speak in terms government evaluators recognize: Central Tox is the only SDVOSB that holds a National MOU and an Interservice Security Agreement, and it has earned multi-year Exceptional CPARS ratings on active VA contracts, ratings completed by contracting officials that measure quality, schedule, cost control, management, and compliance.
Michael later founded PHI Fortress, extending his focus into health information technology and interoperability for the Department of Veterans Affairs. PHI Fortress is the only SDVOSB operating within the AWS GovCloud VA enterprise space, and in 2026 his work in the field earned the FORUM Innovation Award for a production-ready interoperability solution.
His entrepreneurial instincts were sharpened long before his first company. A 20-year Marine Corps career built his leadership foundation, and top-performing roles at Pfizer and Medtronic taught him to operate successfully inside strict regulatory frameworks. He holds two bachelor's degrees and an MBA, and he supports the Wounded Warrior Project, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the ASPCA. For Michael, building a company has always meant building something that performs when it counts.