It was until she was introduced to Pascal Programming which she took under Dell Nale, one of the first women to get a PhD in Computer Science.
“I loved this class because it was so much like calculus. You were given a problem and as a programmer, you provide the computer with step-by-step instructions to execute on your behalf.”
She’s also known for her presentation entitled “The C’s of Success.”
Flores says, “They’re words that begin with the letter C that make individuals successful— like : Competence, Communication, Commitment, Creativity, Collaboration, Confidence, Community and Chuckle.”
I give you IBM Client Engineering – Architect/Designer App Mod IBM Distinguished Engineer & Master Inventor Romelia H. Flores.
Most recent projects
I am on a team at IBM known as Client Engineering that is responsible for co-creating systems/solutions in support of their business challenges. Many clients want to utilize technology to drive new ways of delivering business to their clients in order to compete in today’s business world. I work with those clients to come up with ideas for unique experiences to help their businesses. This year I have worked on multiple projects that are focused on Electric Vehicle Fleets and creating systems that will help drivers of those vehicles (typically trucks) obtain appropriate dispatch assignments. While this seems simple, there is quite a bit to take into account such as the reason/service for the dispatch, the tool/equipment on the trucks, the distance to be travelled to provide the service, where charging stations exists, and the availability of the appropriate chargers at the charging stations and more. Projects like this can be challenging, but I enjoy finding ways of utilizing technology to address these challenges. We utilize Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Asset Management, Sustainable software and more.
Most recent
accomplishment
Work – Like everyone else around me, I am ramping up my skills in the area of Generative AI. Yes, I have been a life-long learner. I am proud of having trained over 350 people at IBM and 20 clients on Generative AI and I am including this new technology in my latest projects with clients. In 2023, I obtained two new patent applications, I currently have 84 patents with another 10 patents pending.
Husband and
Childrens Names:
Husband – David Flores (Also from Eagle Pass), Daytime Trader – B.S Electrical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
Daughter – Christina I Flores, IT Consultant at Credera Corp – B.S Bioinformatics, Baylor University,
Son – David Adrian Flores, student, Masters of Interactive Technology in Digital Game Development, Southern Methodist University, B.S. Video Game Design, DePaul University.
Parents Names:
Luis T Hernandez – worked for Foremost Milk (in Eagle Pass, TX) the majority of his life. His advice for me was to have fun in what I do – and I do enjoy what I do at home and work!
Minerva M Hernandez – worked for Jeremiah I Rhodes Law Office (in Eagle Pass, TX) as his secretary for fifty years. Her advice for me was “Has todo lo que puedas, lo mejor que puedas” – this is probably what drives me to accomplish things!
Siblings Names:
Thelma Hernandez – works at HEB as a Pharmacist in the San Antonio area.
Who do I look up to / who are my heros:
I always admired my mom who back in the 1950s, was a female in the workforce supporting her family and highly devoted to her job. She worked five days a week, took care of us, was involved with her church, PTAs, community organizations, and more.
Career Highlight:
Over my career I have worked with Government Agencies, Cities, Utility Companies, Finance (Banking/Insurance) institutions, Telco Providers and Retailers. Having a good feel for the breadth of IBM’s technologies in combination with the vast number of projects I have led with clients makes me one of IBM’s most highly sought after innovators. I’m proud of that. Certainly having obtained the title of “Distinguished Engineer” (which is only afforded to IBM’s top technical talent) over fifteen years ago has been a highlight in my career. My second title of “Master Inventor” I obtained about twenty years ago due to the number of patents I created for IBM.
Favorite College Team:
Texas Longhorns – I graduated from UT with a degree in Computer Science.
Baylor University – I was a member of the Computer Science Board of Advisors at Baylor University for 4 years and was named an Alumni by Choice for Baylor.
Hobbies:
Yoga – I practice 3 times a week
Sudoku – I love puzzles
Yard work – Yes, I help mow the yard and like to tend to my garden.
Favorite Food:
Ribeye Steak – David makes killer ribeye steaks, but any BBQ is great!
Favorite Movies:
I love all kinds of movies especially action movies. One of my favorite things to do is go see a movie with the family and eat popcorn.
Good Students:
Always willing to go beyond what is being taught in a class and discover additional possibilities.
Good Professors:
Enthusiastic in educating young minds and enabling students to create their own solutions.
Colleagues:
IBMers are the most amazing people in the world. They always help each other out. Through my job I have travelled to Beijing, Rome, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and all over the US. Everywhere I have travelled, I have met IBMers and they always offered great hospitality. And certainly IBMers are all brilliant individuals.
Playlists:
Ed Sheeran – I took my husband this year to one of Ed Sheeran’s concerts and it was great.
I also enjoy Adam Levine / Maroon 5, Elton John, The Beatles / Paul McCartney, Kelley Clarkson, and yes – Barry Manilow.
IBM’s Marketing Department:
IBM has a huge marketing department and give advice to IBMers advice on what is reported in the press. They have a tough job of keeping up with all of the innovation being created across all of IBM and positioning it appropriately. Some of our recent announcements include creating AI commentators for the the US Open Tennis Championship; NASA and IBM creating Geospatial Foundational Models for earth observation for the purpose of tracking changes in land use, monitoring natural disasters, predicting crop yields and more; the Quantum Commercialization where IBM’s Quantum demonstrates speeds beyond classical supercomputers to name a few.
Advice:
Don't be afraid to get into a science field you enjoy and expand your horizon beyond that field. The world around us changes at such a rapid pace, especially when it comes to technology. You have to be willing to embrace being a life-long learner.