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Media Contacts

The USGS has public affairs staff located across the country to respond to reporters questions. We can help you find an expert on a variety of earth and biological science topics.

Headquarters Contacts

USGS Public Affairs Officer

Rachel Pawlitz

Public Affairs Specialists

Main Public Affairs Line: 1-703-648-4460 

For information related to earthquake events, please contact the USGS National Earthquake Information Center at 303-273-8500 and select option 3 to speak to a seismologist 24/7. 

 

State Contacts for Press Inquiries

Eastern States

Includes: AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, LA, MA, MD, ME, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OK, PA, PR, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VI, VT, WV

Vic Hines, Eastern States Communications Chief, 1-813-855-3125

Jason Burton, 678-924-6692.

Coverage:

  • Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands)
  • National Minerals Information Center
  • South Atlantic Water Science Center (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina)
  • Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
  • Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Donyelle Davis, 626-202-2393

Coverage:

  • Central Midwest Water Science Center (Illinois, Iowa, Missouri)
  • Columbia Environmental Research Center
  • Lower Mississippi Gulf Water Science Center (Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee)
  • New York Water Science Center
  • Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
  • South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
  • Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Jessica Fitzpatrick, 703-648-6624

Coverage:

  • Florence Bascom Geoscience Center
  • Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Water Science Center
  • New England Water Science Center (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
  • New Jersey Water Science Center
  • Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Central States

Includes: CO, ID, KS, KY, MN, MT, ND, NE, NM, OH, SD, UT, WI, WY

David Ozman, Central States Communications Chief, 1-303-202-4744

Heidi Koontz, 303-202-4763
Coverage:

  • Colorado
  • Indiana
  • Kentucky
  • Ohio
  • Nebraska
  • New Mexico

Jennifer LaVista, 303-202-4764

Coverage:

  • Kansas
  • Montana
  • Utah
  • Wyoming

Marisa Lubeck, 303-526-6694

Coverage: 

  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Wisconsin

 

Western States

Includes: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NV, OR, WA

Miel Corbett, Western States Communications Chief, 1-503-320-3411

Paul Laustsen, Public Affairs Specialist, 650-847-8522

Coverage:

  • Arizona Water Science Centers
  • California Water Science Center
  • Earthquake Science Center
  • Geology Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
  • Nevada Water Science Center
  • Pacific Coastal & Marine Science Center
  • ShakeAlert
  • Southwest Biological Science Center
  • Western Ecological Research Center
  • Western Geographic Science Center

Ryan McClymont, Public Affairs Specialist, 503-583-7944

Coverage:

  • Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
  • Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Oregon Water Science Center
  • Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Pacific Islands Ecosystems Science Center
  • Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
  • Volcano Science Center

Steven Sobieszczyk, Public Affairs Specialist, 503-251-3208

Coverage:

  • Alaska Science Center
  • Astrogeology Science Center
  • Idaho Water Science Center
  • Pacific Islands Water Science Centers
  • Washington Water Science Center
  • Western Fisheries Research Center