The GEO Group’s Western Region Detention Facility in San Diego, California commemorated its 25th Anniversary with a celebration held on July 10, 2025. Dr. George Zoley, Executive Chairman of The GEO Group attended the ceremony as the guest of honor.
The Western Region Detention Facility became a reality twenty-five years ago based on Dr. Zoley’s vision. GEO has a long-standing contract with the U.S. Marshals Service for the exclusive use of the Facility, which generates approximately $57 million in annualized revenues. The Facility has provided federal detention capacity and transportation services on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service over two decades and is ideally suited to provide these essential services due to its close proximity to the U.S. District Courthouse for the Southern District of California in downtown San Diego.
In January 1999, GEO and San Diego County entered into an agreement for GEO to renovate and lease the former San Diego County Central Detention Facility, which included upgrading and reconfiguring the Facility, adding central air conditioning, and revitalizing the exterior to blend into the downtown decor.
Under a separate contract signed in July 2000, GEO began providing detention services and federal detainee housing for the U.S. Marshals Service at the renovated Facility. Intake began in July 2000. The original contract ran through November 2017, at which point the contract was renewed for 10 years, running through September 2027, inclusive of renewal options.
Everyone at the Western Region Detention Facility was honored to have Dr. Zoley attend the 25th Anniversary celebration. GEO’s Senior Management was represented by Dr. George C. Zoley, Executive Chairman; Mark Suchinski, Chief Financial Officer; Paul Laid, Senior Vice President, Secure Services; and Kent Long, Senior Vice President, Project Development.
Representatives from the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the union which represents the Facility’s employees, were also in attendance, including NFFE National President, Randy Erwin; NFFE Secretary-Treasurer, Max Alonzo; International Association of Machinists Organizer, Art Jackson; and National Business Representative/Organizer, Erika Santa Cruz.
There were also several representatives from the United States Marshals Service in attendance, including Steve Stafford, United States Marshal; Ivan Esquivel, Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal; Richard Jarrell, Assistant Chief Deputy Staff U.S. Marshal; Rafael Machado Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal; DeTar Ballard, Deputy U.S. Marshal; and Kris Stephens, Deputy U.S. Marshal.
Opening remarks for the ceremony were made by Assistant Facility Administrator, Christopher Carney and were followed by a presentation of awards by NFFE National President, Randy Erwin. After the NFFE awards presentation, United States Marshal, Steve Stafford presented several remarks and introduced the keynote speaker for the celebration, Dr. George C. Zoley.
Following Dr. Zoley’s remarks, Facility Administrator Timothy Johnson presented service awards to 35 Western Region Detention Facility employees who have worked at the Facility for 20 years or more.
20+ Years:
Cynthia Escoto (20 yrs)
Michael Smith (21 yrs)
Rueben Contreras (22 yrs)
Luz Cellely (23 yrs)
Arturo Darilag (23 yrs)
Tiffany Hartley (23 yrs)
Juan Pulido (23 yrs)
James Turner (23 yrs)
Marco Duarte (23 yrs)
Hermina Espiritu (23 yrs)
Fidel Almazon (23 yrs)
Saul Avila (23 yrs)
Lenny Corbett (23 yrs)
Ronald Desormeaux (23 yrs)
Eliseo Moreno (23 yrs)
Fabian Rodarte (23 yrs)
Joyce Balanon (24 yrs)
Kathy Pressley (24 yrs)
25 Years:
Edwin Albino
Richard Brown
Dion Gibbs
George Wohlgemuth
Melodee Randle
Leslie Magalong
Rosalie Smith
Tonia Hill
Lee Jones
Nathan Gallegos
Johnny Glover
Daryl Sledge
Frederick August
26 Years:
Angela Mims
Debra Fuller
28 Years:
Christopher Carney
32 Years:
Linda Jenkins
