Michael’s great-grandparents immigrated to the United States from Italy in search of opportunity.  Through hard work, his family built a successful wedding banquet hall and restaurant that became more than a business — it was a place where families gathered and community was built.

 

That experience shaped Michael’s belief that economic opportunity and community responsibility go hand in hand.  Michael grew up connected to Ventura County, attending Pierpont Elementary before moving to Albany, New York with his mother and sister after his parents divorced.  But Ventura always remained home.  His father stayed here, and Michael spent every summer in the county where he would eventually return to build his life.

 

After high school, Michael moved to New York City and worked in restaurants while putting himself through community college.  He earned an Associate’s degree in Political Science from Borough of Manhattan Community College and, once back in Ventura, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University Channel Islands.  He is currently completing his MBA at CSUCI.

 

In 2015, Michael and his husband — a Ventura County native born and raised in Oxnard with family in Santa Paula — returned home to invest in the community they love.  After a brief period away while his husband completed law school, they returned permanently in 2022 when Michael became the City Clerk for the City of San Buenaventura.

 

As Ventura’s City Clerk, Michael leads a growing department overseeing elections, public records, transparency systems, and governance reform.  His work has improved public access to government, modernized city processes, and strengthened election integrity.  Michael previously served as Assistant City Clerk for the City of Berkeley and as Chair of the Oakland Public Ethics Commission. 

 

As a District Representative for two California State Senators, Michael handled constituent casework, helping residents navigate housing challenges, healthcare issues, permits, and unresponsive agencies.  He also co-founded the Diversity Collective Ventura County Community Resource Center, helping establish the county’s first LGBTQ community center in over a decade and restore rapid HIV/AIDS testing services.

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