Steve served his first five years with Technology Services before joining the Lyles College of Engineering. His job title, ‘Equipment Technician III – Specialized,’ is much broader than the name implies. In this role, he dedicates 90 percent of his time to the Lyles College of Engineering, where he is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair on existing and new equipment for three of the six disciplines in the college — including the Civil and Geomatics Engineering and Construction Management Departments.

“I enjoy the complexity,” Steve said. "It’s never the same thing in the Lyles College of Engineering. One day, I could be working on a computer and the next, repairing a 200,000 pound test machine."

Steve has also spearheaded the design and construction of several pieces of equipment for the college — saving thousands of dollars by manufacturing products in-house. One example is when the college sought to acquire a seismic (earthquake simulator) table in 2004.

“After getting several quotes ranging from $75,000 to $100,000, we decided to see if this was something we could build on-site," he said. "Armed with ACAD, Solidworks, and samples of existing seismic tables, we were able to design a suitable table. We had DAD Welding, a local company, construct it to our specifications and that fall we had an open house celebrating the completion of the seismic table.”

Steve also works hand-in-hand with students on their research and competition projects, ensuring that all of the work practices and safety guidelines are adhered to. The other 10 percent of Steve’s job is dedicated to the University’s Facilities Management department, where he oversees the design, installation and inspection of any new outside plant systems and any modifications of the existing system.

“A good example would be the installation of the 'East Comm Loop' which completes a communications loop on the east side of the campus,” he said.

Steve has served in the communications field since 1969. As a certified Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD), he is able to serve the University in this capacity. He is one of two professionals in the Valley who have the RCDD, which focuses on the design, integration, and implementation of information and communications technology systems and related infrastructure components. The RCDD is an international certification offered through BICSI, a nationally recognized association that supports the advancement of communications technology professionals.

“I’ve held this certification since 2005 and am pretty proud to have it," he said. "I renew it every three years. The test was not easy, but it’s something I’m passionate about and it allows me to serve the University’s communications team. The Department of Defense and other larger corporations are now requiring RCDD certification in their bid specifications, so I would say it’s a highly regarded certification.”

This summer, Steve was chosen to serve on the ‘Scheme Realignment Team’ at the BICSI World Headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Out of 110 applicants, he and six other RCDD certified communications professionals from around the world – including Japan, Canada, and Panama – were those selected.

“The purpose of the Scheme Alignment Team is to look at BICSI’s certification, re-certification, and ethics standards for RCDDs and to ensure that they comply and mirror requirements for not only the United States, but the International community, which BICSI has been a part of since 1998," he explained. "It was really an honor to be chosen and represent Fresno State."

Steve’s wife, Cathi, also works at Fresno State, where she serves as the Lead Technician for Technology Services.

“We’ve been married for 43 years," Steve said. "She’s been at Fresno State for more than 20 years, and she was equally responsible for the design, construction, and commissioning of the East Comm Loop.”

Besides serving on the ‘Scheme Realignment Team,’ Scherer has been busy working alongside the rest of the technicians in the Lyles College getting all the laboratories ready for fall 2018 classes. He looks forward to having the students back on campus and back in the labs, where they will dedicate much of the semester researching and developing projects.