
Mike is a 20+ year veteran of the fire service, currently serving as the Division Chief in charge of Training and Education. Mike began his career as a paramedic in Santa Ana, CA in 1986. In 1989, he transferred to the Orange County Fire Department. In 1993, in an effort to relocate to a better place to raise his children, Mike accepted a position with Clark County Fire District No. 5 in Vancouver. Mike worked for one year with District 5 before being promoted to the rank of Captain with Clark County Fire District 11, now Clark County Fire & Rescue. Mike served as a Captain, Battalion Chief, and Division Chief with District 11. Additionally, he serves as an Operations Section Chief with a Washington State Incident Management Team.
Mike has an associate's degree in fire protection from Portland Community College, a bachelor's degree in business management and communications from Concordia University and is a graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program through the National Fire Academy. He is currently working on his master's in fire service administration. In 2007, he received his Chief Fire Officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing.
Mike lives in Battle Ground with his wife Gilda and they have two grown children. He is in his second term on the City Council and currently serves as the Mayor of Battle Ground. Additionally, he serves in various positions on the following organizations: Washington State Higher Education Facilities Authority, President of the Clark County Mosquito Control District, Board of Directors for the North County Community Food Bank, Chairperson of the North Clark County Steering Committee for Loaves and Fishes, Larch Corrections Community Advisory Board, and the Lewis River Rotary.