We hope you enjoy this series where we meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Michael Flores
Title: Farm Maintenance Technician
Department: Department of Agricultural Operations

How long have you worked at Fresno State?
10 years.

Are you a Valley native?
Yes, 54 years.

Are you a Bulldog family with generations of Bulldog graduates or current students?
My son, Alexander, recently got his bachelor’s degree in criminology from Fresno State.

Do you have a campus mentor or someone who has helped you in your career?
Former Campus Farm Manager Mark Salwasser before he retired, and now it’s Jordan College Associate Dean Steve Rocca. Mark knew a lot about the farm, and he never hesitated to share his knowledge with me. Steve Rocca is very attentive to our needs here on the farm. I can always count on him to help us out.

Tell us about your department and what people may not know about it.
Here at Ag Operations, we support all of the farm units with any of their needs in a timely fashion, depending on the urgency. We do a lot of projects in between work orders. You name it, we can do just about anything that is needed on the farm.

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field?
Maintaining all of our irrigation systems. It is crucial that the wells keep running throughout the season so we can produce the best crops possible.

What are you most passionate about in your field?
I am most passionate about keeping the farm running as efficiently as possible. We are on a budget, so it is important to do as much work in-house as possible.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job?
Having a horse named after me for the urgent job that was needed at our Equine Unit.

What is your favorite quote or saying?
If you lead, lead by example.

What is the most interesting or unusual job you've ever had?
Freeing a horse that was stuck in a gate.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
Work out at the gym, fishing, golfing, and most of all, swimming with my granddaughter.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
I have 27 years of industrial maintenance experience. I’m not trying to brag, but I do know a lot. I am a jack of all trades!

Is there something else you would like to share that was not asked?
It took me two years to get used to this type of work environment. I used to work six to seven days a week with lots of overtime. I was not used to having weekends off. Now, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I spend most of my time with my family.