Candidate for
Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator; County of Monterey

Mike Kanalakis was born in the canal zone, Republic of Panama on November 13, 1948. His mother, deceased in 1994, was a Panamanian citizen who married Mike's father in Panama. Mike has one older brother Bill, and a younger sister, Alexandra.

The Kanalakis family returned to the U.S. in 1950 and settled in the San Francisco Bay area. Mike grew up in Castro Valley until age 10. In 1958 the family moved to the Monterey Peninsula residing in Seaside. Mike's father worked in construction and his mother was a teacher for the Monterey Unified School District.

Living in Seaside, Mike attended Del Rey Woods Elementary School, Fremont Junior High, and Monterey High School. At Monterey High he took college prep courses, and played football and track. Mike graduated in 1966 and went on to Monterey Peninsula College where he earned an Associate in Science Degree graduating in 1968. While at MPC Mike Kanalakis met his wife of 30 years, Mary.

In 1968, Mike transferred to San Jose State University and enrolled in Air Force ROTC. By 1970, he graduated from San Jose State with a BA in Communications. That same year he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force and got married.

His first assignment was Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento. Mike and Mary subsequently moved on to other bases across the country . He was assigned to Air Training Command, Strategic Air Command, and Tactical Air Command. While in the Air Force Mike worked on post-graduate studies in psychology through the University of Northern Colorado. Mike was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain in November 1976. While in the military Mike and Mary had two sons, John born 1/25/72 in Illinois, and Scott born 11/13/74 in Arizona.

Mike and Mary returned to the Monterey peninsula after six years in the military and made their home in Seaside. He was hired as a Deputy Sheriff by the Monterey County Sheriff's Department 1/3/77.

While employed with the Sheriff's Department Mike pursued an advanced degree. In 1981 he graduated from Golden Gate University with a Masters in Public Administration. He subsequently taught introductory law enforcement classes at Carmel High School and Monterey Peninsula College. He also earned a lifetime Community College Teaching Credential.

His employment within the Sheriff's Department has included a number of different assignments and promotions. He worked street patrol, he was a training officer, Special Unit Team member, Special Unit Supervisor and Special Unit Commander. He was promoted to training officer in 1979, Sergeant in 1981 and Lieutenant in 1996. Mike has worked in Monterey, Salinas and the city of Greenfield as the Interim Police Chief.

His assignments have included the Coroners Division, Patrol Division and Special Operations. He has have extensive experience in emergency planning and represents the department on a number of committees including chair of the Child Death Review Team, Operational Area Council, Northern California Coroners Administrators, County Emergency Operations Center, Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Coordinator for Monterey County and Department representative to the State Office of Emergency Services (Law Enforcement Branch).

Co-lateral duties Mike has held include SWAT Commander, Gang Unit Commander, K-9 Unit Commander, Marijuana Eradication Unit Commander, Special Unit Commander, Auto-theft Unit Commander, Special Events Coordinator, Permits Manager, Bomb Squad Project Manager, Armored Car project Manager, Cal-Gang Project Manager, Mobile Data Terminal project manager, acting Patrol Division Commander, Y2K plan project manager, and special appointment to the Governors Office of Emergency Services law Enforcement Branch as a recognized expert in the field of emergency planning.

One of the highlights of Mike's career was his selection to being assigned as Interim Chief of Police for the city of Greenfield. He served in that capacity for six months while the city searched for a replacement. While in Greenfield Mike made significant gains in reestablishing the police department's community policing efforts and automating the police records function. He also organized a regional gang task force.

Mike possess a POST Management Certificate and is a graduate of the POST Executive Development and Management Courses.

Mike belongs to the following professional organizations; Monterey County Peace Officers Association, California Peace Officers Association, National Tactical Officers Association, California State Coroners Association, National Latino Peace Officers Association, Monterey County Deputy Sheriffs Association. He is a past member of the Monterey County Chief Law Enforcement Officers Association. Mike was named Outstanding Sheriff's Department Employee of the year for 2000.

Mike is active in community activities. Both Mike and Mary are volunteers for the annual Concours De Elegance. He is past vice-president of the Carmel Host Lions Club and participated in numerous volunteer activities including white cane days, Monterey County Fair, Carmel Kite festival, Easter with the bunny, Carmel youth basketball, and the AT&T golf tournament.