Jim Fowler started as EarthScope Chief Engineer in 1984, and became the founding manager for the EPIC program. In 1999, he relocated from Washington D.C. back to his home state of New Mexico, and set up an office in the EPIC. As a news article from New Mexico Tech noted,
"My wife, Cynthia, and I are originally from New Mexico, so it really wasn't as difficult for us to move here as it might have been for someone who's a hardcore 'Easterner,'" Fowler says.
"Since most of my work involved the Instrument Center, it seemed best for all concerns if my office was actually located at the Instrument Center," Fowler points out. "Basically, instead of living in Washington and commuting to New Mexico, I now live in New Mexico and commute to Washington."