Jessica Flores is the Principal and Founder of Preservation Forward, LLC, a comprehensive historic preservation consultancy she established in August 2016. With nine years at the helm of her own business, Jessica specializes in using historic preservation as a catalyst for creating vibrant, transformative places throughout Michigan and beyond.

​​

In addition to running her consultancy, Jessica has served as Teaching Faculty at Michigan State University's School of Planning, Design, and Construction since January 2018. There, she manages the history curriculum within the Interior Design Program, which is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Sciences.

​

Before launching her own business, Jessica spent over six years (March 2010 to August 2016) as an Architectural Historian and Community Outreach Specialist with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. In this role, she provided strategic thinking on historic rehabilitation, affordable housing, downtown revitalization, and community and economic development initiatives across Michigan.

​

Earlier in her career, Jessica worked as a Building Analyst and Historic Preservation Specialist for the Michigan Bureau of Energy Systems, State Energy Office, from December 2008 to March 2010. There, she researched and documented energy efficiency opportunities in institutional, commercial, historic, and older buildings throughout the state.

​

Jessica holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation with a focus on Architectural Conservation from Eastern Michigan University (2008), a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Ohio University (2006), and an Associate of Applied Science in Building Preservation and Architectural Restoration Technology from Belmont College (2006). She is also accredited as a LEED Green Associate by the U.S. Green Building Council and was recognized with a 2021 Award for Successful Historic Preservation Building Rehabilitation by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network.

​

Her expertise spans historic research and tax credits, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, historic building materials, period furniture and design, traditional building construction, public speaking, and historic preservation advocacy. Jessica is also an active speaker at industry conferences, presenting on topics such as "Historic Preservation Across Michigan," "Historic Preservation: The Most Sustainable Approach," and "Encouraging Inclusion in Community Historic Preservation Programs" at events organized by the Michigan Downtown Association and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network.