Guy M. Foster

Guy currently is the Chief, NY Observing Systems overseeing surface water, groundwater, & water quality data collection & networks throughout New York State. He oversees staff in 6 offices that consist of Hydrologic Technicians, Physical Scientists and Hydrologists performing data collection, quality assurance, network management, and applied research.

Guy started with the USGS in 2007 as a student in the Pacific Islands Water Science Center (WSC). After graduating, he transferred to his hometown of Ft. Myers, FL as a Hydrologic Technician in the Florida Integrated Science Center, where he performed a variety of gaging tasks including both SW and GW sites. In 2009, he accepted a position as a Hydrologist in the Kansas WSC. While in Kansas, he conducted a variety of studies, including sediment transport, effects of urban wastewater on receiving streams, sediment oxygen demand, and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). After becoming a Supervisory Hydrologist, he led the Sediment Science and Sensor Technology Unit from 2015 to 2018, which consisted of a small cadre of highly motivated hydrologists and hydrologic technicians. His Unit produced numerous publications and data releases and has successfully conducted logistically complex and unique data collections to answer hydrologic questions of interest. In 2018, Guy transferred to the New York WSC where he served as the Water Quality Networks Section Chief. He oversaw about 25 scientists located in 3 offices throughout NY State conducting a wide variety of water-quality studies in freshwater and marine environments. In addition, Guy played a direct role in forming the the North Atlantic and Appalachian Region (NAAR) Harmful Algal Bloom Capability Team and NAAR Leadership Exchange (NAARL-E). 

Prior to working at USGS, Guy served as a submarine sonar technician in the US Navy from 1993 to 2004. He took part in two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Honolulu (SSN 718) and four Strategic Deterrence Patrols aboard USS Nevada (SSBN 733 (Blue)). He spent his final tour of duty as an Instructor and Master Training Specialist at the Naval Submarine Training Center, Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i.