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
Mike Ariza     email: [email protected]

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.

These 8 simultaneously operated units are the pioneer design that is unique to Benicia. Very few Refineries are built like this in the entire world. In other locations operators typically operate and control one major refinery unit. In the case of Valero, a Control Board Supervisor controls 8 major units at the same time. When you combine the Hydrogen Generation Unit and the Hydrocracker Unit that I ran down in Bakersfield with the units that I ran at Valero it has given me a complete understanding of how an entire Refinery operates.

My experience-based understanding is unique in the refining industry. It is this understanding that has driven me to collaborate with Assemblyman Ellis and Professor Mische in order to deal with the crisis that is already upon us.