Background
Mike has been a resident of Torrance for 45 years. He has served on several city commissions, committees, boards and other volunteer posts going back 30 years. His extensive knowledge and experience is unmatched by any other candidate, including 4 years on the Torrance City Council. He attended Torrance Schools along with graduating from El Camino College.
| He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Engineering at California State University Long Beach and went on to attend the School of Business Management at UCLA. He has built and operated two successful self-employed businesses and presently works for a top Fortune 500 company. Along with his wife Kathy, he has three adult children, Jessica, Kristina, and Greg, all who attended Torrance schools, with the most recent TUSD student being his grandson Joseph. He cares for his father Mikko who is also a proud resident of Torrance. Together, four generations of Mauno's call Torrance their home. | |
“Where It All Began”
Mike's father Mikko emigrated from his homeland Finland in 1954, immediately joining the United States Air Force and becoming a naturalized citizen. His mother, Liisi, came shortly there after. Mike and his brother Mark were born in Niagara Falls, NY where their father was stationed in the Air Force. When Mike was one year old, the Mauno's left New York and moved to Los Angeles where his twin brothers were born and where his father would begin a career in the aerospace industry.
Mike began attending Kindergarten in Central Los Angeles while only being able to speak Finnish. Yes, English is his second language. After a few years, the Mauno's fell in love with and moved to Torrance for its open space, mild climate, good schools and close proximity to the coast. It was a great place to raise four boys.
Mike went on to attend Historic Fern Elementary, Greenwood Middle School and Torrance High School where being involved in student affairs and politics seemed to be his natural inclination. During his school years, Mike always seemed to find himself as the Class President, including the honor his fellow students gave him as the Torrance High School Senior Class President of 1975. You might say it's in his blood. He later on became the Student Body President at El Camino College.
Several of Mike's family members in Finland have left a legacy of public service in politics just like Mike has, most notably, his Great Aunt Miina who rose to become the speaker of the Finnish Parliament. History was made by Mike's great aunt for she was not only the first woman speaker of the Finnish Parliament, but that of any other Western Democracy. Mike's Aunt Miina made a difference here in United States , for she was a close working confidant of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and worked closely with her in the formation of our Social Security System.
Finland's system, which Aunt Miina help enact, was a model that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt used here in the United States. Following in his Aunt Miina's footsteps, Mike's passion and heartfelt calling for public service and politics, along with his unyielding determination to make life better for those of us in Torrance, makes him a most valuable candidate.
Vast experience, character, honesty, and perseverance along with a willingness to serve are among the many qualities that make Mike Mauno a top choice for the Torrance City Council.
Tough Stuff
It has been said, “It is the tough times in life that show your character and strength.” While these past few years have brought many challenges for Mike, his kindness, good nature, determination and strength continued to shine through, brighter than ever. His wife, Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2006. The battle was a hard fight. Many of us, unfortunately, are too familiar with the heartache and fear of a cancer diagnosis, be it ourselves, our spouses or loved ones.
The year following the diagnosis, difficult treatments and uncertain moments, another tragedy would strike Mike and his family. In September of 2007, Mike's son-in-law, Jason, would pass away after a horrific car accident and a 17 day fight in ICU. He leaves behind Mike's daughter Jessica and her two young boys. These occurrences in life, among other trials, can leave one broken or weak at heart. In Mike's case, his commitment to life, to helping others and his unfailing empathy and openness towards those going through the tough times leave him even more compassionate, more understanding and ready to help than ever before.
Should any of you ever need or want to talk about any issue, serious or not, you have a friend in Mike Mauno. He understands tough times and what it means to offer hope and support. His service to the community and his track record proves, he is always ready to lend a helping hand. His strength and perseverance to stand ready and help others makes him a loyal friend and community leader to so many, someone who is there when you need him the most.
*Presently, we are very happy to report that Kathy has been deemed “ cancer free ”.
