Governance and Oversight
The Richmond Field Station (RFS) is managed by UC Berkeley through its College of Engineering, under the ownership of The Regents of the University of California. This governance structure enables close alignment between academic priorities and facility operations. The College of Engineering brings deep expertise in research, innovation, and education to guide RFS’s development as a leading site for engineering discovery, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world problem solving in service of the public mission.
College of Engineering
UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering is consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge research, world-class faculty, and commitment to societal impact. The College oversees the Richmond Field Station (RFS), aligning the site’s development with its mission to advance education, research, and innovation in service of the public good. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting high-impact initiatives - from sustainable transportation to advanced manufacturing - the College ensures that RFS remains a dynamic engine for discovery and hands-on learning across the engineering disciplines.
Faculty Director of the Richmond Field Station
Tarek I. Zohdi received his Ph.D. in 1997 in Computational and Applied Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and his Habilitation in General Mechanics (Allgemeine Mechanik) from Gottfried Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, in 2002. He is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Chair of the Designated Emphasis Program in Computational and Data Science and Engineering, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering, and holder of the W. C. Hall Family Endowed Chair in Engineering at UC Berkeley. He also holds a Faculty Scientist position at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs and is the Faculty Director of the Richmond Field Station. He has published over 200 archival refereed journal papers and eight books. He is an Editor-in-Chief of the leading journal in his field, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering (CMAME), and serves on 11 boards of international journals. Overall, he has given more than 240 plenary, keynote and contributed lectures at conferences, universities and other research institutions. Learn more here →
Operations Superintendent
Justin Cocke is the Operations Superintendent at the Richmond Field Station, where he has led site operations, infrastructure planning, and facilities management for over a decade. Under his leadership, RFS has undergone a significant transformation - from a largely underutilized satellite campus into a dynamic hub supporting research, innovation, and hands-on student learning. Justin oversees a large team responsible for everything from high-voltage electrical systems and civil infrastructure to HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, and custodial services, ensuring the 140-acre site remains safe, functional, and responsive to the evolving needs of UC Berkeley’s faculty, students, and research programs. He has managed major capital projects, environmental remediation efforts, and compliance with complex regulatory frameworks, all while building strong relationships across university departments, government agencies, and external partners.
Director of Strategy and Development, ITS
Justin Wiley is Strategy & Development Director at UC Berkeley’s Institute of Transportation Studies, and the Corporate Partnerships Strategist at the Richmond Field Station. He began his career in mobility as a student at UC Berkeley, where he co-founded Green Bike Share. In 2012, he joined the founding team at JUMP Bikes, helping to build and scale micromobility systems globally before the company’s $200M acquisition by Uber. He continued his work at Uber, expanding access to electric bikes and scooters in major cities worldwide. Justin later joined Swiftly, a public transit technology firm, where he led strategic partnerships to help agencies modernize operations through real-time data and analytics. Now back at UC Berkeley, he focuses on advancing mobility infrastructure, research commercialization, and workforce development by connecting academia, government, and industry across the Richmond Field Station and beyond.
Exceptional On-Site Support
The dedicated facilities staff at Richmond Field Station play a crucial role in maintaining a safe, functional, and high-performing environment for research, teaching, and innovation. From expert electricians and carpenters to HVAC engineers and custodial teams, these professionals bring deep technical skill and responsive service to every project - whether it’s installing high-voltage systems, repairing equipment, fabricating precision woodwork, or preparing spaces for events and demonstrations. Their work ensures that the complex infrastructure needs of the RFS community are met with care, precision, and professionalism every day.
