Speakers

Ruben Flores is the Manager of Maintenance and Operations at Mt. San Antonio College, where he oversees campus grounds maintenance and leads initiatives focused on innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. With more than 17 years of experience in landscape and grounds management, Ruben combines a strong horticultural foundation with expertise in implementing emerging technologies that improve efficiency, safety and environmental stewardship. 

After beginning his career in Mt. SAC's Horticulture Department, Ruben spent seven years developing hands-on expertise in landscape management before joining the college's Facilities team, where he has dedicated the past decade to advancing campus grounds operations. 

Over the past several years, Ruben has been at the forefront of implementing and evaluating autonomous mowing technologies, gaining extensive experience with robotic mowing platforms from multiple manufacturers. Working with different brands has provided him with a unique understanding of the strengths, limitations, and operational nuances of each system, from installation and mapping to fleet management, software integration, and day-to-day performance in complex campus environments. 

Beyond implementation, Ruben has worked closely with manufacturers by providing real-world operational feedback that has helped shape product development. His field experience has contributed valuable insights into mower functionality, navigation, user interface design, and mobile application performance, enabling manufacturers and product teams to refine features that better meet the needs of grounds professionals. This collaborative approach has positioned him as a trusted voice between end users and technology developers, helping accelerate innovation in the autonomous grounds maintenance industry. 

Ruben also played a key role in Mt. SAC becoming the first community college in the United States to earn AGZA Green Zone Certification in 2023, recognizing the institution's commitment to low-emission, sustainable groundskeeping practices. Under his leadership, the college continues to expand the use of battery-powered equipment, autonomous mowing technology, and data-driven maintenance strategies to create a more sustainable and efficient campus. 

Passionate about the future of the green industry, Ruben regularly shares practical insights on robotic mowing, sustainable landscape management, and emerging technologies. His presentations combine real-world implementation experience with lessons learned from deploying multiple autonomous mowing platforms, offering valuable perspectives for grounds managers, municipalities, educational institutions, and industry partners seeking to successfully integrate robotics into professional landscape maintenance.