Michael Cano is an American Indian of Mescalero Apache descent from his mother. Born in September 1949 Phoenix, Arizona, at age of 4 moved to Redondo Beach with his parents. Today he is a Menifee resident and veteran that served in the United States Marine Corps. Michael began his military service by volunteering for the draft in June of 1968. He served his country during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on February 12, 1970. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Vietnam Service Medal with Star, the National Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.
He is a longstanding member of the Menifee community. He serves as a member of the City of Menifee Measure DD Oversight Committee, a Board Member of the Economic Development Coalition, and a member of the board of directors at Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee. In addition, Michael obtained his Ph.D. from USC in 1997 and is a retired Professor of Economics and Finance. He is also a business owner in the City of Menifee, and for the last 9 years has served as Post Commander to Menifee VFW Post 1956.
Through his leadership and dedication to veterans, he has fostered a growing presence in the Menifee community by providing veteran resources to veterans in pursuit of higher education and also serves as an advocate for Home for Our Troops to build custom homes in the City of Menifee for 911 post disabled veterans.