Mike and his wife, Mona, have been married for over 42 years and have proudly called the City of Ripon home for over 39 years. His community involvement includes serving as Ripon’s mayor and a City Councilmember.
With strengths in fiscal management and responsibility, Mike currently serves as chairperson of the San Joaquin County Retirement Association Board, representing 16,000 participants and more than $5.7 billion in investments. He also serves as a board member of the State Association of California Retirement Systems; Institutional Real Estate, Inc., an international real estate media company; the Bank of Stockton; and 1867 Western Financial Corporation.
Additionally, Mike has served as chairperson of the San Joaquin Regional Transit District Board, which provides transportation for more than 4 million travelers annually, and chairperson of the Ripon Chamber Government Relations Committee. His service also includes board positions with the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, the City of Ripon’s Oversight Board, the San Joaquin County Council of Governments, and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission.
Mike’s commitment to first responders led him to establish Ripon’s First Responder Appreciation Day.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in finance from Golden Gate University. He also attended the Wharton School of Business, Stanford University, and Northwestern University to further his knowledge of finance.
Mike believes that moving Ripon forward requires sustaining partnerships with school districts, the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, the Ripon Police Department, local community groups, individuals, and families. It also requires working as a team with regional, state, and federal agencies.
With a solid background in finance and accounting, Mike will work to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently on services for Ripon residents. His funding priorities include maintaining superior public safety and ensuring the continuity of quality city services. While providing these services, the City of Ripon has maintained fiscally sound budgets and responsible reserves.
The safety of our residents is critical. He has worked, and will continue to work, to ensure that the Ripon Police Department has the resources it needs to provide the highest level of police and emergency services to our community.
We face growing challenges from new laws, shifts in government policy, technological threats, threats to our community, and circumstances that contribute to crime. Ripon remains a safe community because of the commitment of the Ripon Police Department and the involvement of our residents.
Although the Ripon Consolidated Fire District is not under the City of Ripon’s control, Mike will continue working with the district to ensure it has the resources needed, now and in the future, to provide excellent fire and emergency services to our residents.
Mike has supported a business-friendly Ripon by evaluating fee structures that affect businesses and using best practices to guide those efforts. This work will lead to modernized ordinances that reflect the expectations and needs of Ripon’s consumers, including tax structures that encourage businesses to move to Ripon while generating ongoing tax revenue for the city and its residents.
Mike helped develop a “community-led” City Council by encouraging service groups to continue expanding their involvement and influence in Ripon. They invited these groups to share their input and listened to their ideas, helping each strengthen its commitment to giving back to the community.
Together with the City Council and staff, Mike is continuing to work to improve Ripon’s water quality and roads. This includes working with SSJID to provide a water supply beyond our own wells.
Although an independent assessment indicates that Ripon roads are in their best condition in many years, more work remains. Our road study is complete, improvements are being made in stages, and additional work will move forward as funding becomes available.
Mike has been actively involved in efforts to continue improving our recreation facilities, including pickleball and tennis courts, as well as softball, baseball, and soccer fields. There is nothing more exciting than seeing families gather at sporting events and enjoy time with friends, neighbors, and fellow athletes.
“Keep Ripon, Ripon.”
Mike’s guiding motto, while making improvements as needed.