Krystal Flores took on the role of APC Treasurer in early 2024 with a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to serve. Coming from a background in student support at CSU, Krystal brings both technical precision and a strong sense of responsibility to a role that directly affects thousands of APC members.
She stepped into the position mid-term, following the retirement of Christine McCarthy, who had served as APC Treasurer for many years. Christine’s dedication and institutional knowledge were well respected throughout the union, and her departure marked the end of an era. For Krystal, the transition was both an honor and an opportunity to carry the work forward in a new way.
What the Treasurer Really Does
If you’ve ever assumed the APC Treasurer mainly handles reimbursements, you’re not alone. Krystal Flores admits she had a similar impression at first. But stepping into the role revealed just how expansive the responsibility really is.
“The treasurer’s role is very sensitive,” she explained, “because thousands of people are entrusting you with one percent of their pay every month. That’s such a personal and important thing.”
While reimbursements are one piece of the puzzle, Krystal is responsible for overseeing how APC funds are managed and allocated across every level of the organization. That includes ensuring transparency and accountability for executive board decisions, campus-level spending, and council-related activities. It’s a system of checks and balances, and it’s not just financial. It’s also about trust.
“There’s a big responsibility and obligation to the members,” she said. “People want to know what their money is being used for, and that’s fair. My goal is to be as transparent as possible so members feel confident in how those decisions are made.”
Streamlining and Modernizing the Treasurer’s Office
When Krystal began handling the day-to-day responsibilities of Treasurer, she quickly noticed opportunities to make APC’s financial processes more efficient. Many systems were still paper-based, requiring wet signatures and physical checks. That created delays and made an already complex role even harder to manage.
Working closely with APC Accounting Assistant Sarah Watts, Krystal began the work of modernizing the process. “We moved a lot of things to a digital format. That made everything run more smoothly and much faster,” she said. “It also made the Treasurer role more manageable with the kind of workload it involves.”
Updating the system wasn’t just about convenience. It also created better visibility into how funds move across APC. From executive board initiatives to campus-level expenses and council activities, Krystal sees her role as a central point of accountability. “It’s not just one budget,” she explained. “There are multiple layers of oversight, and I take that seriously.”
Why Member Participation Matters
While managing APC’s finances is a core part of Krystal’s role, she’s quick to point out that the union’s strength doesn’t come from spreadsheets. It comes from people.
“One thing I want members to know is how important active participation is,” she said. “We need members from all campuses involved in action. That could mean joining a committee, becoming a steward, or even showing up at a rally or lobby day.”
Krystal recognizes that not everyone can take on a leadership role, but she believes there’s a place for everyone to contribute. Whether it’s offering input, attending events, or simply staying informed, each step matters.
“There are a lot of opportunities right now, and we need people to step into them,” she said. “That’s how we stay strong. That’s how we move forward together.”
Get Involved
Whether you’re curious about committee work, interested in becoming a steward, or just want to stay connected to union efforts across the CSU, there’s a role for you.
Contact your local steward to learn how you can get involved.