Ponce Named USGS Central Region Director
Stanley L. Ponce, Ph.D., has been named regional director for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Central Region based in Denver.
Ponce, who has been a federal land and water resource manager for nearly 30 years, will oversee USGS operations in the Rocky Mountains, the Midwest, and the South Central United States. More than 3,000 government and contract employees work at the USGS science centers spread throughout the 15-state region.
“Stan has extensive experience in developing national water resources policy, managing complex scientific and engineering programs, and building coalitions,” said Suzette Kimball, USGS acting director. “We are very pleased to have him join our executive leadership team as the USGS Central Region Director.”
Prior to this appointment, Ponce served as regional executive for the South Central area of the USGS Central Region where he managed science programs and activities in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Before joining the USGS, he worked at the Department of the Interior headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he served as a senior adviser to the Assistant Secretary of Water and Science and the Assistant Secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Ponce received his doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from Utah State University. He holds a master's degree in watershed science and forest engineering from Oregon State University.