Dr. Michael Cao takes oath as new mayor of Arcadia

Arcadia City Councilman Michael Cao was sworn in as mayor Tuesday, succeeding April Verlato who most recently served as the city’s mayor since September 2023.

“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,” Cao said in a statement. “I am deeply honored to serve Arcadia and will work to ensure our community remains a safe, healthy and prosperous place for all.”

Since his 2022 election to the Arcadia council, Dr. Cao, a cardiologist, has strived to enhance public safety and provide equitable services and health care to all residents, according to a city statement. He has driven major health and safety initiatives such as the creation of Arcadia’s first Health Committee that aims to make health education more accessible to members of the community and voicing opposition to Los Angeles County’s “zero bail” policy.

Cao also focuses on public safety efforts, including the Arcadia Police Department’s initiative to install mobile surveillance units and the Arcadia Fire Department’s acquisition of a new “basic life support” ambulance along with the hiring of seven additional ambulance operators, according to the city statement.

Officials said Cao also was instrumental in establishing Arcadia’s first Veteran Banner Recognition program, which will honor all living veterans in the city each year starting in November.

“Cao is defined by his unwavering dedication to public service,” city officials said.

He served for 10 years on active-duty and attained the rank of major in the U.S. Air Force. While deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Cao led a Critical Care Airlift Team, which treats and evacuates injured military personnel. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

After serving in the military, Cao founded a medical practice dedicated to providing health care to diverse and underserved populations, according to the city.

Cao represents Arcadia as the incoming president of the LA County Division of the League of California Cities and as a member of the Foothill Workforce Development Board and the Clean Power Alliance. He currently serves on the State Bar of California Committee of Bar Examiners and was appointed by the California speaker of the Assembly. Cao is also the liaison for the Arcadia Library Board of Trustees and a director on the Arcadia Police Foundation board.

Cao formerly served as chairman of the Arcadia Senior Citizens’ Commission, a member of the LA County HIV Commission and liaison for the Arcadia Planning Commission.

Councilwoman Sharon Kwan will now serve as mayor pro tem.

The offices of mayor and mayor pro tem are filled automatically by rotation among the council members with each serving a term of about nine and a half months.