Mike Flaugher, a longtime Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority director who represented Milpitas on the board, died on Saturday, Feb. 22. As director of District 2, Flaugher also represented communities from North San José and Berryessa. He first joined the authority as a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee in 2012 before being elected to the board in 2014.

“Mike was a terrific partner in getting things done,” said board chair Helen Chapman in a release. “No matter how complex the issue, he focused on the work and on fulfilling his own personal commitment to protecting the environment. … He championed these values in all the organizations he served.”

Throughout his extensive public service career, Flaugher held leadership roles in 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 San José Parks and Recreation and Neighborhood Services Commission.

An Air Force veteran, Flaugher served in the Air force Reserves for 15 years and worked for National Semiconductor for 20 years.

The authority will publicly honor Flaugher at a future board meeting. The board of directors will decide whether 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, the authority’s general manager. “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.”