Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority District 2 Director Mike Flaugher Passes

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority District 2 Director Mike Flaugher Passes  

The Public Agency Honors Longtime Director’s Legacy

San José, Calif. (February 24, 2025) - The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) announces the passing of Mike Flaugher, Director of  District 2 on Saturday, February 22. Director Flaugher represented communities from North San José, Berryessa and the City of Milpitas since 2014.

“All of us at the Authority are greatly saddened by Mike’s passing and will miss  his sense of duty as a board member. Mike was a terrific partner in getting  things done," said Helen Chapman, District 3 director for the Authority and current board chair for the public agency. “No matter how complex the issue, he  focused on the work and on fulfilling his own personal commitment to  protecting the environment, raising awareness and involving his community in  building equitable access to nature. He championed these values in all the  organizations he served." 

Throughout his extensive public service career, Flaugher held leadership roles in  various organizations, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council,  Berryessa Business Association, Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinating Committee and the City of San José Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood Services Commission. Flaugher also worked with former San José City Councilmember Marjorie Matthews. An Air Force veteran, Flaugher served in the Air force Reserves for 15 years and worked for National Semiconductor for 20 years.

“It’s been such an honor to work with Mike Flaugher over the years as he fought for parks, trails, and environmental health for the residents of North San José. It saddens me deeply that we will no longer  have his advocacy day to day, though his spirit will always be present as we walk the trails,” said David Cohen, San José District 4 councilmember. 

Flaugher’s many years of service to the Authority will be publicly honored at a future Board meeting. The Open Space Authority Board of Directors will decide whether to vote to fill the District 2 vacancy through a special election or by appointment.

“As we remember Mike Flaugher, we honor his legacy of service and the positive impact he has had on his community,” said Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Authority. “His vision and efforts will guide us as we work to continue connecting the communities we serve to the open spaces he so dearly cherished. All of us at the Open Space Authority extend our condolences to Mike’s wife April and their family.” 

###