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San Luis Obispo Field Office Grand Opening

Entrance to the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus

San Luis Obispo Field Office Grand Opening

Exterior of Cal Poly Technology Park II Field Office

San Luis Obispo Field Office Grand Opening

Conference area of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Field Office

By California Water Science Center March 13, 2026

On the morning of February 5th, the Cal Poly Tech Park II facility on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, in which the new USGS California Water Science Center Field Office is housed, had its grand opening.

California Water Science Center Groundwater Availability and Use Assessments Acting Program Chief, Geoff Cromwell, and San Luis Obispo Field Office Chief, Ben Glass, were on hand to meet with attendees. They spoke with people from Cal Poly, local city and county officials, and representatives from two state and federal elected offices. There was strong interest in the USGS and the work the Center is doing in the region. Photos from the event are below.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong gives opening remarks. Ribbon cutting by Jim Dunning, Associate Executive Director of Cal Poly Partners. Ben Glass (USGS) with Jen Michels of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Geoff Cromwell chats with a visitor at the field office grand opening. After the ceremony, attendees gather outside the new Tech Park II facility to celebrate its grand opening. USGS Hydrologic Technician Davis Badger enjoys the festivities.
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Photos of San Luis Obispo USGS Field Office Grand Opening

The move to the new field office from Santa Maria, CA began last May. The Tech Park II office space offers various amenities including conference rooms, break areas, and convenient access to campus resources, fostering an environment conducive to collaboration with the university. The office warehouse is right next door.

The process of moving to Cal Poly took about 4 years from the start of initial discussions. Ben Glass, the field office chief, established connections with Cal Poly regarding space in their Tech Park area. His persistent efforts have yielded significant results!

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Pictured is the San Luis Obispo Field Office team along with others from the USGS California Water Science Center. From left to right: Ed Reeves, Ben Glass, Gustavo Ruiz, Mark Dickman, Colleen Ritter, Daniel Monsalve, Geoff Cromwell, Jeanette Rainey, and James Solum.

This successful relocation was made possible thanks to the dedicated support of many individuals, including current Center Director Anke Mueller-Solger, former Center Director Eric Reichard, Mark Dickman, Jeanette Rainey, the IT staff, the field office team, and many others outside of our Center. However, Ben deserves primary recognition for persistence and navigating the complexities of the move and ensuring a smooth transition.

The relocated field San Luis Obispo office is already in conversations with Cal Poly and local agencies for new cooperative work.

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