Dr. Michael Cao Takes Office as Arcadia Mayor

Dr. Michael Cao of the Arcadia City Council was sworn in as the Mayor on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, succeeding Mayor April Verlato who most recently served as Arcadia's Mayor since September 2023. Councilmember Sharon Kwan will now serve as Mayor Pro Tem.

Since his election to the Arcadia City Council in 2022, Mayor Cao has made significant strides in his mission to enhance public safety and provide equitable services and healthcare to all residents.

Mayor Cao has been a driving force behind major health and safety initiatives in Arcadia. These efforts include the creation of the City's first Health Committee to make health education more accessible to the community, and actively opposing the Zero Bail policy across Los Angeles County. Mayor Cao is a staunch supporter of public safety, which includes the Arcadia Police Department's initiative to install mobile surveillance units, and the Arcadia Fire Department's acquisition of a new Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance and the hiring of seven new ambulance operators. Additionally, Mayor Cao was instrumental in establishing Arcadia's first Veteran Banner Recognition program, which will honor all living veterans in Arcadia annually, beginning November 2024.

"Service to others has been the cornerstone of my personal and professional journey, from my dedicated military service to providing healthcare, and now as Mayor of Arcadia," said Mayor Cao. "I am deeply honored to serve Arcadia and will work to ensure our community remains a safe, healthy and prosperous place for all."

Mayor Cao is defined by his unwavering dedication to public service. He honorably served his country for 10 years as an active-duty Major in the United States Air Force. During his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he led the Critical Care Airlift Team, playing a crucial role in treating and saving the lives of servicemen and servicewomen. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Following his military service, Dr. Cao founded a private medical practice dedicated to providing healthcare to diverse and underserved populations.

Mayor Cao also represents the City of Arcadia as the incoming President of the L.A. County Division of the League of California Cities, a member of the Foothill Workforce Development Board and a member of the Clean Power Alliance. He currently serves as a public member on the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners by the California Speaker of the Assembly, liaison for the Arcadia Library Board of Trustees and a director on the Arcadia Police Foundation. Mayor Cao formerly served as chairman of the Arcadia's Senior Citizens' Commission, commissioner on the HIV Commission by the Los Angeles County Supervisor and liaison for the Arcadia Planning Commission.

The offices of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are filled automatically by rotation among the Councilmembers with each serving a term of approximately nine and one-half months.