District 9 Representative

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Armando Flores, a native of San Diego, has been deeply engaged in technology, education, and social advocacy. Raised in a family of eight, in south San Diego, he navigated his way through Valencia Park elementary, O’farrell middle, Taft middle and Kearny High, finding a passion for cultural anthropology at Mesa Community College. His academic journey led him to San Diego State University (SDSU), where he pursued triple majors in Writing and Rhetoric, Chicano Studies, and Linguistics while also testing a Virtual Reality Business concept in the Zahn Innovation Platform. This led to acceptance into the SAN innovation lab, where he continued to test his business concept before COVID closures. Currently, he is expanding his skill set by pursuing a degree in Data Analytics with the University of Massachusetts.

Over the last decade, Flores contributed significantly to a leading tech company in San Diego, filling various roles from Technician to Volunteer Coordinator, and Instructional Design to Software Engineering. His focus on improving accessibility and developing educational content aimed to bridge technology with community needs.

Flores showcased his innovative spirit when his team, "Team Wild Tracks," triumphed at the 2016 San Diego Zoo Hackathon, introducing conservation technology that has since supported wildlife efforts in 70 countries. Beyond his professional endeavors, Flores dedicated himself to volunteer with the Blind community, learning braille and took classes in American Sign Language to support the Deaf community, highlighting his commitment to inclusive communication.

At High Tech High, he worked as an academic coach, where he supported students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and taught subjects ranging from language learning to robotics. This phase of his career emphasized his dedication to fostering an inclusive educational environment within a Project Based school.

As the son of migrants from Chihuahua and Guanajuato, Flores' diverse upbringing and the varied experiences of his siblings have deeply influenced his worldview. Through awards in design from Adobe, a TEDx talk on immersive conservation, and experience in VR business development, Flores has aimed to impact San Diego and advocate for a safer, more equitable world. His past work in conservation and volunteerism, alongside his advocacy for police accountability and systemic reform, underscores his commitment to meaningful change.