By Faughn Education • Workforce 0 Comments

Manufacturing pipeline grows stronger with FAME at Reedley College

A new era in workforce development is underway at Reedley College as the first cohort of students enters the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) era.

The students celebrated their participation in the Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program as part of a nationally recognized model designed to close the skills gap in modern manufacturing.

Reedley College hosted the Central Valley FAME Signing Day on Monday, July 28, celebrating the launch of the Central Valley chapter of the FAME — the first in California and west of the Rocky Mountains.

The students were signed up by various local employers to go through the program. If they complete their free training, they can get hired permanently.

Developed by industry leaders, FAME provides technical training, hands-on experience and workforce-readiness skills to prepare students for well-paying careers in manufacturing. The local chapter is a collaboration between Reedley College, the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance (SJVMA), the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation and regional employers.

“It’s a bold commitment to workforce development, innovation and the bright future of American manufacturing,” said Reedley College President Jerry Buckley. “The FAME program represents a proven model that addresses one of today’s most pressing challenges — the growing skills gap in advanced manufacturing.”

Workforce, education unite

Through internships, apprenticeships and industry certifications, students build job-ready experience while earning a paycheck. The program allows participants to graduate with less debt, more technical experience and direct access to in-demand careers.

“The Central Valley is building a pipeline of talent that’s ready to compete and win in the local economy,” said Rep. Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield), who spoke alongside Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith.

Fong emphasized the region’s vital role in California’s economy and praised the collaborative effort between education and industry.

“I don’t think any of you [students] consider yourself trailblazers, but you are the first,” he told students. “You can chart your path. Every cohort after you will model their goals and actions after all of you.”

An industry-led movement

Genelle Taylor Kumpe, CEO of the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance, said that having industry lead this initiative marks a “monumental movement” for workforce development in the region.

“What we have here — that maybe other regions don’t — is a deep sense of collaboration,” she said. “It’s the public and private sectors, education and employers working together to invest in talent and the future.”

Ellie Obregon, VP of human resources at Lyons Magnus, a sponsor of the local FAME chapter, said programs like this help address the ongoing shortage of skilled candidates in the manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing is a skill that’s hard to find good candidates for,” Obregon said. “That’s why we partner with schools — to attract students early, offer tuition reimbursement, and give them a career path.”

She added that Lyons Magnus is always looking ahead, building a workforce pipeline through training and development.

Other participating companies include Lakos, Betts Company, Keiser Corporation, Wawona Frozen Foods, ADCO Packaging Machinery Company, Bee Sweet Citrus, Trillium and Excelsior.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/manufacturing-pipeline-grows-stronger-with-fame-at-reedley-college/

By Faughn New Developments • Workforce 0 Comments

Scannell breaks ground on $100 million Fresno industrial park

Scannell Properties broke ground on its new $100 million industrial park in southwest Fresno on Wednesday.

The project is proceeding after defeating environmental lawsuits in court seeking to block it.

The backstory: Last year Fresno lawmakers approved the warehouse project, which was quickly contested in court by a Southern California environmental justice group.

  • But the suit never picked up any steam as it was eventually dismissed in court.

The big picture: The property will provide around 1,000 jobs to Fresno.

  • It will span 48 acres located at the northeast corner of N. Marks and W. Nielsen avenues and will have four offices and warehouse buildings, totaling 833,000 square feet.

What they’re saying: Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said this is the biggest deal he has been part of since he became the mayor.

  • Will Oliver, the President and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, said Fresno had projects go to other states because of the lack of industrial space.
https://sjvsun.com/news/fresno/scannell-breaks-ground-on-100-million-fresno-industrial-park/
By Faughn Economy • New Developments 0 Comments

Madera County begins multi-million-dollar Rio Mesa Blvd expansion project

A multi-million-dollar project that will expand Rio Mesa Boulevard in Madera County broke ground Thursday. The project was first envisioned in 1995.

Officials say that this paves the path forward for a safer commute and infrastructure that will serve residents, homeowners, businesses and drivers for generations to come.

Madera County Supervisor Bobby Macaulay said that Thursday’s celebration is more than just the start of a road project. “It’s the beginning of a long-planned investment in the future of Madera County,” Macaulay said.

The project will have modern infrastructure, a multimodal design and utilities built to support full build-out, Macaulay said. It will have two travel lanes, a bike lane, landscaping and a total right-of-way. The Highway 41 bypass project design will stretch from Avenue 15 to Avenue 12. Completion of the project’s first phase is slated for 2026.

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/rio-mesa-boulevard-expansion/

By Faughn New Developments 0 Comments

Tulare County greenlights rezoning of 718 acres near Goshen for industry, future development

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to rezone 718 acres of farmland northwest of Goshen to accommodate both industry and additional uses in the future.

The board approved the initiation of a general plan amendment on July 22, which would allow development of the area once all environmental studies are complete. The new zoning designation would be considered “mixed use.”

The developer proposed building an industrial park on 190 acres west of Highway 99. The project was submitted to the county by developer Panattoni Development of Sacramento in collaboration with real estate firm Colliers International.

The project was submitted to the county at their Project Review Committee meeting in June.

The site plan shows five large buildings of various sizes that add up to 3.85 million square feet along Highway 99.

Development of the 718-acre plan would require cooperation with the City of Visalia, which supplies sewer service to Goshen, and approval from CalWater, which supplies water to the community.

Another notable part of the plan includes rezoning 137 acres at the northwest corner of Highways 99 and 198, also currently in agriculture. County Economic Development Manager Michael Washam said there’s no specific plan to develop this acreage, but he has seen interest in the past. The site enjoys the highest pass-by traffic count in the region. In addition to these industrial and commercial potential projects, Goshen is slated for more housing projects due to available land there, including this initiative to open more, but depending on sewer capacity from the City of Visalia. San Joaquin Valley Homes and Self Help Enterprises are currently busy with projects in Goshen.

It remains to be seen how Visalia will respond to these large-scale projects near the city limits. Recently, the City of Visalia initiated its 900-acre expansion plan for industrial and other commercial development near the airport.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/tulare-county-greenlights-rezoning-of-718-acres-near-goshen-for-industry-future-development/?mc_cid=ca9408d1be&mc_eid=bd857719cb

By Faughn Renewable Energy 0 Comments

Arevon’s Eland Solar-plus-Storage project now fully operational in California

Arevon Energy, a prominent player in the renewable energy sector, has officially launched its Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project near Mojave, California. This ambitious initiative, valued at $2 billion, stands as one of the largest solar-plus-storage installations in the United States. Now fully operational, the project is set to significantly contribute to Los Angeles’ electricity supply and enhance energy security for over 266,000 homes annually. With cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainable practices, Arevon is paving the way for a cleaner energy future while supporting local communities through job creation and economic contributions.

Overview of the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project
The Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project is an extensive undertaking that combines solar power generation with advanced energy storage solutions. Located in Kern County, California, this two-phase initiative comprises Eland 1 and Eland 2. Together, they feature a staggering total nameplate capacity of 758 megawatts (MWdc) of solar energy complemented by 300 MW/1,200 megawatt-hours of battery storage. This facility is not just about generating power; it plays a crucial role in stabilizing California’s grid during peak demand periods and extreme weather conditions.

Significant Impact on Local Energy Supply
The significance of Eland cannot be overstated. It will produce approximately 7% of Los Angeles’s total electricity needs—enough to power more than 266,000 homes each year. The impact on local communities extends beyond just electricity provision; it also enhances reliability during critical times when demand surges due to heatwaves or other emergencies.

Innovative Technology for Energy Storage
A standout feature of the Eland project is its use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries manufactured locally in Lathrop, California. These batteries are recognized for their safety and efficiency—having no reported fire incidents since their commercial introduction in 2019. They discharge power rapidly during high-demand periods, thereby fortifying California’s energy security while providing a stable supply of clean energy.

Ceremony Celebrating Operational Launch
On August 6th, 2025, Arevon celebrated the completion of this monumental project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by public officials and community leaders. Key figures included Mayor Karen Bass from Los Angeles and representatives from various governmental agencies who acknowledged the collaborative efforts that made this project possible.

A Commitment to Renewable Goals
California aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035; Arevon’s Eland project aligns perfectly with this vision. Mayor Bass emphasized that such initiatives are instrumental in pushing Los Angeles towards its goal of becoming powered entirely by renewable resources by mid-century. The successful launch marks a significant milestone not only for Arevon but also for the city’s long-term sustainability goals.

Creating Jobs and Supporting Local Economies
The construction phase alone generated approximately 1,000 jobs in the region while fostering economic growth through an expected $36 million allocated to local governments over time. This financial support will directly benefit schools and public services within affected communities.

The Future of Clean Energy with Arevon
Arevon continues to solidify its commitment to renewable energy development across the U.S., operating over 5.3 gigawatts (GW) across various projects nationwide while investing significantly into new capacities. Their recent announcements highlight ongoing operations at several other sites within California—including additional solar-plus-storage projects—demonstrating their leadership role within this vital sector.

Community-Centric Initiatives
The company has also engaged actively with local organizations like Safe Haven Kid’s League in California City to provide essential services such as food security programs and workforce training initiatives aimed at enhancing community well-being—a testament to Arevon’s dedication toward social responsibility alongside environmental stewardship.

Conclusion: Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Solutions
The launch of Arevon’s Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project marks not just another success story but sets a precedent for future renewable energy developments across America. By harnessing innovative technologies while prioritizing local engagement through job creation and community support programs—the company demonstrates how large-scale projects can effectively contribute both environmentally sustainable practices as well as significant socio-economic benefits within regions they serve.

This venture exemplifies what’s achievable when public-private partnerships come together focused on shared objectives: delivering reliable power responsibly while further advancing clean energy goals crucially aligned with California’s ambitious targets leading into upcoming decades ahead!

https://usasolarcell.com/news/2025/08/06/arevons-eland-solar-plus-storage-project-now-fully-operational-in-california/

By Faughn Economy • Education • Workforce 0 Comments

Fresno Area’s Newest College Grads Boast Nearly $24 Billion in Earning Power

Thousands of students are graduating from local universities and transitioning into the work world, bringing fresh faces and ideas — and immense career earning power. Fresno County is home to Fresno State, Fresno Pacific, and California Health Sciences University. Additionally, University of California, Merced is just an hour away. The four universities report a total of almost 8,500 students walking at commencement this spring. This includes hundreds of students receiving master’s and doctorate degrees. Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce says a bachelor’s degree holder will earn a median average of $2.8 million during their career — 75% more than the median average for a high school grad ($1.6 million). Multiply the Fresno area’s 8,500 college graduates by $2.8 million and their career earning power computes to $23.8 billion.

However, the figure is conservative because of California’s higher wages and the expected lifetime earnings of grads with master’s degrees ($3.2 million) and doctorates ($4 million). And it doesn’t include 2025 graduates from schools such as University of Phoenix-Fresno and National University-Fresno. Now here’s more good news for the Fresno economy: Much of that income will be generated, invested, and spent here. Based on data from Lightcast, an economic data mining service that the CSU partners with, of the 20,701 public profiles of Fresno State alumni who graduated between 2015 and 2025, 83.96% live and work in Central California, said Fresno State public information officer Lisa Bell. The other universities do not track where students go after college, but an analysis by Tallo, a website that connects students with resources, showed that 61% of college students plan on finding a job close to where they attended college. In addition, UC Merced and Fresno State report that over 50% of the graduating class are first-generation students.

Top Majors Among Graduates

The programs promising the highest pay are all STEM courses, but there is a wide variety of top majors from the four universities. Engineering and computer science are highest-paying majors according to Forbes. Both were a part of UC Merced’s most popular majors alongside biological sciences. However, Fresno States’ top majors were psychology, liberal studies, and biology. Fresno Pacific undergrads swayed towards liberal arts and early childhood development. There’s a clear mix of humanities, social sciences, and sciences among the Central Valley graduates, promising an even distribution between fields. California Health Sciences University had 109 medical students, and 22 master’s program students graduate with 23% completing residencies in the Central Valley. Sixty percent of the residencies are in Primary Care.

Breakdown of Colleges and Degrees

Fresno State had the biggest graduating class with 6,018 students walking at commencement: 5,125 receiving bachelor’s degrees and 866 getting their master’s. The doctoral cohorts and candidates consisted of 58 students receiving Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Educational Leadership, and Doctor of Nursing Practice. The College of Science and Mathematics had the largest class with a little over 1,000 graduates. UC Merced had 1,417 students walk at commencement with 1,296 getting a bachelor’s degree, 41 receiving a master’s degree, and 80 obtaining doctorates. The School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts had the largest class with 781 students walking. Fresno Pacific held ceremonies for 863 students graduating this spring. There were 467 students completing a bachelor’s degree and 396 students finishing a master’s degree. The largest number of students, 636, graduated from the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

https://gvwire.com/2025/06/20/fresno-areas-newest-college-grads-boast-nearly-24-billion-in-earning-power/

By Faughn Distribution • Workforce 0 Comments

Massive distribution center to create 1,500 jobs in Stanislaus County

Patterson is now considering a 3.25 million-square-foot distribution center, which is almost three times larger than a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse on Sperry Avenue approved earlier this month. According to applications filed with the city, the huge distribution center at the southwest corner of Rogers and Zacharias roads would be “built to suit” for an e-commerce company to fulfill orders from customers. The company has not been identified. It would be the largest distribution center in the city, which has logistics facilities as large as 1.5 million square feet.

Simply called Project Zach, the center will have five floors and about 1,500 employees. A city use permit is required because the 107-foot height is twice the city standard of 45 feet. Other features include 59 loading docks, a proposed 983 parking spaces for passenger cars and 506 truck trailer stalls. Small products, less than 25 pounds, will be packaged on the ground floor and mezzanine and stored on the upper floors.

The project got a public hearing Thursday evening before the city Planning Commission. The panel was to review a number of issues because of Project Zach’s size and location near the foothills of western Stanislaus County. “The city’s primary concern with large buildings is the potential impacts on residences and views of the hills,” City spokesperson Victoria Castro said by email. “The municipal code includes requirements to ensure projects like this are located far from residences to protect the views.” Issues such as truck traffic and air quality are being addressed through conditions of approval for Project Zach, Castro said. A city report says the proposed facility is more than 2,000 feet from the nearest property inside the city zoned for residential development.

The 102-acre site is within the West Patterson Business Park Expansion planned for 13.5 million squares of feet of light industrial and commercial uses. The owner is NCP Patterson Holdings. A representative of Panattoni Development Co. did not return a message from The Modesto Bee. The city required an amendment to the 2012 environmental study on the business park expansion, but the adverse impacts of Project Zach are not more severe than impacts of the entire expansion, so there’s no need for major revisions, the addendum concluded. The city turned heads by landing distribution centers at a time when some California cities were desperate for any job creation. Patterson’s business park expansion, driven by Interstate 5 access, was capped by a 1 million-square-foot Amazon Fulfillment Center in 2014. But warehousing and distribution draw more complaints today regarding substandard wages, truck traffic and air emissions.

A city planning report says Project Zach is exempt from Assembly Bill 98, which was passed by the Legislature to restrict truck routes and impose more stringent requirements on logistics projects in California. Project Zach is part of the Arambel Business Park master plan, approved years ago. Initial standards of AB 98 went into effect Jan. 1. In 2012, the EIR found that the West Patterson Business Park expansion would eliminate 749 acres of prime farmland, 278 acres of unique farmland and 82 acres considered important by the state. The new distribution operation, including 652,000 square feet on each floor, is expected to exceed San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District emissions for volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides. The center will generate 400 vehicle trips during the busiest morning hours and more than 900 trips in the worst hours after noon.

State regulations will require a five-minute limit on idling diesel-powered vehicles at the facility. Before building permits are issued, Project Zach is expected to comply with San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District rules to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions by 33% and tiny particle emissions from diesel trucks by 50%. That can be done through onsite emission reductions or payment of mitigation fees. The environmental study on the entire West Patterson Business Park expansion anticipates 11,755 vehicle trips during morning hours and 15,319 after noon. Project Zach is expected to fund its share of road and intersection improvements before a final map is approved. As the business park continues to develop, the plan has called for improvements of the I-5 and Sperry Avenue interchange, signals where Rogers Road meets Highway 33, and other intersection improvements.

In addition, Project Zach will contribute fair-share fees for an I-5 and Zacharias Road interchange connected to the proposed South County Corridor expressway. The Planning Commission’s approval June 12 of a 1.2 million-square-foot logistics center on Sperry Avenue sparked some jeers on social media bemoaning another warehouse and that this one would eliminate a corn maze popular with families. Castro said the city is seeking diverse development and is reviewing multiple applications including nearly 2,000 housing units and commercial projects such as a new shopping center. It’s reviewing proposals for additional industrial buildings including manufacturing and medical facilities, she said.

Patterson part of primary logistics market an economic development whitepaper for the Modesto 2050 General Plan Update and EIR in 2022 analyzed the rapid expansion of the logistics industry in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. There was steady growth in e-commerce before the pandemic and then the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 spurred enormous global growth in online sales. San Joaquin County is a major hub for warehousing and distribution due to truck and rail transportation modes, relatively inexpensive land, labor supply and freeways like Interstates 580 and 205 connecting with the Bay Area and Port of Oakland, the whitepaper said. Tracy is a leader with regional warehouse and distribution businesses in a primary market taking in Lathrop, Manteca, Stockton and Patterson. The report noted that Patterson and Stockton are equal distance from the Port of Oakland. Although Patterson has a smaller labor supply, it has the least expensive land and fee costs, the whitepaper said.

Modesto lies southeast of the primary market area and is at a disadvantage for logistics development, with the greater mileage increasing costs for operators, the paper said. The city inhabits a secondary market with opportunities, but with supervisors earning around $25 an hour and robotics taking on much of the warehouse work, the 2022 paper said some communities question the desirability of logistics development.

https://www.modbee.com/news/politics-government/article309423915.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

By Faughn Economy • New Developments • Tourism • Workforce 0 Comments

Visalia’s retail growth just doubled the national average, what’s behind the surge?

The Visalia metropolitan area more than doubled the national average for retail growth between 2020 and 2024, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. The report, conducted by Michigan-based printer Printastic, ranked the area 27th for retail establishment growth among midsize U.S. metropolitan areas, with an 8.1% increase. The analysis also showed that retail employment in the area increased 9.5% during the same period. Nationally, the increase in retail stores was 3.7% between 2020 and 2024, according to the report. The study showed that there were 1,123 retail establishments in the Visalia metro area last year, and they employed a total of 16,668 people. These numbers indicate increases of 84 retail establishments and 1,450 retail employees since 2020.

“That’s consistent with what I’m seeing in terms of new building permit activity for retail and the buildout of new shopping centers across town, not only on Mooney, but in North Visalia (Orchard Walk West and the North Costco) and East Visalia (The Hub at Walnut and Lovers Lane, and the second Vallarta by Noble and Lovers Lane),” said Devon Jones, Visalia economic development manager.

Jones offered three reasons for the local growth in retail business.

“First and foremost, we are fortunate to have excellent retail development and property owner partners such as Paynter Realty, Brookfield Properties, the Orosco Group, Cal Gold Development, and the Shehadey and Shannon Families to name a few,” he said. “We’re lucky to have lots of investment interest in Visalia and will continue to be a strong development partner for those that choose to invest in us.”

Jones said that Visalia is fortunate to be the metro center for the Tulare/Kings and southern Fresno County region.

“Being the metro and services hub gives us the benefit of drawing visits from the broader trade area population beyond our own city’s population,” Jones said. “This gives us a true ability to provide quality sites for regional retail tenants. This is in addition to the flow of visitors we see annually for Convention Center events and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.”

Lastly, Jones said that the city is remains focused on the “basic formula” for sound economic development and economic diversification.

“That is, creating primary jobs that add outside wealth into the local economy to spur new job creation that leads to new housing demand, which in turn generates more demand for local services such as retail, healthcare, education, etc.,” Jones said.

Primary jobs are those that produce goods and services in excess of what can be consumed at the local level, thereby exporting income into the local economy, he explained.

“Essentially, this export income grows the local economic pie that we divide up amongst ourselves – other businesses/vendors, public agencies, local services,” Jones said.

“In Visalia, we are blessed to have many primary job sectors including health care and tourism, but the sectors with the greatest reach are those typically found in our industrial park, such as food processing, manufacturing, and logistics/distribution,” he added. “Many of these businesses serve international, nationwide, or Western U.S. markets. Luckily, we have lots of great companies in our industrial park and again, have strong industrial development partners that will help us to realize more growth for years to come.”

There is an effort to encourage future growth, according to Jones.

“We will continue to focus on economic diversification and primary job creation as a core economic development priority, and also be a strong development partner for those seeking to invest in Visalia, whether it be commercial, industrial, or residential,” he said.

https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2025/05/15/visalia-metropolitan-retail-area-is-booming-heres-whats-driving-growth/83589547007/

By Faughn Economy • Top Stories 0 Comments

Central Valley cities, counties lead California in population and housing growth

On May 1, the California Department of Finance released a report highlighting the state’s 108,000-person increase during the 2024 calendar year.

In addition to the 108,000-person increase, California also saw an increase in K–8 enrollment of 13,890 students, a nearly 25,300-person increase in the 65-and-older population and the natural increase (births minus deaths) contributed 114,805 people, up almost 10,000 from 2023. The Central Valley followed these trends—Fresno County’s increase of 0.9% put it at the third-highest rate in California, while Tulare County’s 0.7% increase put it in sixth.

Lassen County, located in northeast California along the Nevada border, had the highest increase rate, at 2.9%.

At 2.7%, Madera County had the highest housing growth among all counties. Kings County was the eighth-highest county with a 1.2% increase. The state average housing growth for all counties was 0.8%.

With a city population of 557,032, Fresno was the fifth most populous city in California, behind Los Angeles (3,835,263), San Diego (1,408,937), San Jose (979,415) and San Francisco (842,027). Bakersfield was ninth with a population of 419,238.

Hanford and Tulare were among the fastest-growing cities with populations over 30,000, with increases of 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively.

Fresno County’s Huron and Firebaugh both made the top 10 for multi-family housing unit growth. Huron was fifth with a 13.73% growth, while Firebaugh was 10th at 9.81%.

https://thebusinessjournal.com/central-valley-cities-counties-lead-california-in-population-and-housing-growth/?mc_cid=47909cbf57&fbclid=IwY2xjawKTUdFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEQ3p6WXB5U0x2VE9JRmJVAR5UGJn3VvA_zQujEXiTcHxmxrnhKlT4jDsRAXdIOdDSASYekJGLLSlm-KMdwA_aem_XiAjxnVejOjnVtlzoOyBrA

By Faughn Energy • Hi-Tech 0 Comments

Championing the Transition to Clean Energy

Mechanical engineering Professor Ricardo Pinto de Castro has turned a penchant for systems-level thinking and a longtime love of cars into a climate-resilient research mission. From electric vehicles (EVs) traversing San Francisco’s busiest streets to electric appliances such as induction stovetops and heat pumps becoming ubiquitous in homes, modern American society is transitioning away from fossil fuels to electric power from renewable energy sources, with climate change motivating even more rapid advancement.

De Castro, who also is a principal investigator at the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society and the Banatao Institute (CITRIS), has been interested in exploring how people adopt new technologies from his earliest days as a researcher.

“In undergrad, I really enjoyed opening a book and reading it from start to end,” said de Castro. “I am always driven to learn why things work the way they do. If you are in academia, you have to be a curious person, because the ‘why’ question is very important.”

De Castro holds three patents and has worked on projects ranging from electric tractors to robotic vehicles. Since joining the UC Merced faculty in 2021, de Castro has led a lab that combines power conversion with advanced control and optimization methods to achieve efficient, durable and reliable energy storage in electric and robotic vehicles. His team also explores the automation of vehicles, emphasizing safe motion planning and resilient control systems. And he advises the Bobcat Racing EV team that is designing and constructing a formula-style race car to compete in the Formula SAE competitions.

https://news.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/championing-transition-clean-energy