DECEMBER 28, 2025
 
"The Looming Gas Crisis in California Part 1"
with Mike Ariza, Professor Michael Mische, Assemblyman Stan Ellis
 
FULL TWO HOURS   WE THE PEOPLE RADIO   HOUR 1  WE THE PEOPLE RADIO     HOUR 2  WE THE PEOPLE RADIO
 
About our guests
Mike Ariza

United States Navy 
1984 – 1989

  • Qualified as a Machinist Mate Petty Officer 2nd class
Chevron Oil Refinery Richmond California
1989 – 1990
  • North Isomax Operator 
Exxon (Valero) Benicia Refinery
1990 – 2003
  • Senior Refinery Technician
  • “A” Complex Control Board Supervisor
  • Refinery Safety Committee Chairman
  • Environmental Controls Units SME
Flying J Refinery Bakersfield California
2003 – 2007
  • Refinery #1 Control Board Operator
California State University Chico
2015 – Present
  • Senior Plant Operating Engineer
I was born in Fairfield California on October 8, 1965. Raised in Vacaville California graduating from Vacaville High School in June of 1984. In July of 1984 I joined the United States Navy in the delayed entry Nuclear Power program. While in the Navy I obtained the rank of Machinist Mate petty officer 2nd class working in engineering. I left the Navy to hire at the Chevron Richmond Refinery in 1989.

​At Chevron I qualified as an operator at the North Isomax (hydrocracker) plant. I left Chevron in October of 1990 to work at the Exxon Benicia Refinery. Built in 1969, The Exxon Refinery in Benicia was a pioneer design. To this very day the former Exxon, now Valero refinery has a unique complexity that still makes it the most advanced and efficient refinery in the state of California. After 3 years I went into the Control Room to certify on the “A” complex units. Within 5 years I obtained the highest non-management pay level certification of senior refinery technician. And within the same timeframe I completed qualifications as a Control Board Supervisor for all 8 of the “A” Complex units. As an “A” control Supervisor I was responsible for the safe operation of 8 major refinery units at the same time.
Michael Mische

MICHAEL A. MISCHE MBA, MS, Cert-AI. mamische@gmail.com 

LinkedIn

 YouTube


 

Michael Mische is the Associate Professor of the Practice of Management and Organization. He is widely sought for his independent and objective perspective, exceptional consulting acumen, boardroom skills and direct, Socratic, data driven and client centric style of addressing highly complex and critical strategic, organizational, operational and positioning issues.

A member of the USC faculty since 1997, Mische is responsible for teaching and coordinating USC’s Marshall management consulting undergraduate and graduate curricula and programs.

Mische brings over 43 years of global management consulting experience in strategic planning, mergers, turnarounds and strategic innovation to both the classroom and clients.

Assemblyman Stan Ellis

32nd Assembly District

California State Capitol Office
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0032
Stan Ellis is a farmer, local businessman, and community member with deep roots in the Central Valley. Growing up on a hog farm in South Dakota, he worked to put himself through college at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

After graduating with a degree in mathematics, Stan settled down in Kern County, where he began an extensive entrepreneurial career. He started several small businesses across various fields, including oil, agriculture, chemical process, and reclamation. His work in quantum physics includes innovations in quantum communication, quantum networking, and the development of revolutionary medical research and treatment using quantum entanglement.
Stan started his career in the Kern County oil industry in 1975 as a “mud engineer” before forming his first company in 1981. After this company found success, Stan entered the chemical process industry to minimize waste from oil refineries. He has since founded a quantum physics lab as well as a company that works with the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to advance cybersecurity in the U.S.

As a member of the Cal State University, Bakersfield Engineering Advisory Board, Stan is invested in the education and growth of the next generation. With a family spanning five children, twenty grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, Stan is motivated by a profound sense of duty to future generations.
 

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 State agencies as discussed today: