Mike served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1985 to 1994.  He had multiple commands during his career.  After attending Seattle University, he hired on with the PACCAR Truck Company.  He gained invaluable experience working on the Kenworth-Renton truck factory assembly line as a Unit Supervisor.  He finished with PACCAR in 2000 in the Corporate Purchasing Department as the Six Sigma Supplier Quality Manager.  In the process of re-modeling his Mercer Island home, Mike started Cero Construction, LLC.  The re-modeling was interrupted when re-called in 2004 to serve in Iraq.

Mike’s family moved to the Island in 1996.  Mike was elected to the Council in 2007.  He is very active in the community having served as the Lakeridge PTA President, Mercer Island PTA Council, MISD Class Size Committee, MI Arts Selection Committee, VFW Commander and Vice Commander (2), VFW Historical Building Committee, Sunny Beam Capital Improvements Board Member (2) and West Point Admissions Participant.  Mike remains active in the YMCA Guide program, Lakeridge Chess Club Team Manager, Little League Baseball assistant coach, Lakeridge PTA Legislative Representative, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce and a recent member of the Mercer Island Rotary.  Mike serves on the City’s Disability Board, Senior Commission, Public Safety Sub-Committee and is the Council’s Renton Airport and Suburban Cities Representative.

Mike has an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy and a MBA in accounting from Seattle University.  He received Six Sigma training from PACCAR.  Army experiences include Ranger School, Senior Parachutist, Air Assault, two combat tours and over six years of overseas assignments.  He was awarded the U.S. Army Bronze Star and received Honorary Mississippi Citizenship by the Governor of Mississippi for his service with the 155 Mississippi Brigade Combat Team.  Mike is married to Dr Susie Cero an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Renton.  They have three young children.