Joseph M. Rivera ('73, Civil Engineering)

Joseph M. Rivera

Director, Gas Engineering, Southern California Gas Company

BS Civil Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona, 1973

Southern California native Joseph M. Rivera grew up knowing that he would attend Cal Poly Pomona to study civil engineering. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he began his career with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) as an associate engineer in 1974. Today, he serves as director, gas engineering, for the utility.

“Cal Poly Pomona provided me a foundation that launched my career and served me well for 41 years,” Joseph says. “The university understood that the foundation must include strong technical skills, and an understanding of the importance of the profession and the keys to becoming successful in the workplace. All three of these critical elements were included in the education and thoughtful mentoring that I received.”

Joseph is the chairman of the statewide board of directors for the MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) program of the University of California system, an academic preparation program that serves more than 20,000 educationally disadvantaged pre-college, community college and university students throughout the state.