The U.S. Department of the Interior named Dan Smith as the new acting director for the National Park Service (NPS) on Jan. 24. Smith brings nearly four decades of experience to the role, including prior service as superintendent of Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia from 2004 to 2015. His appointment as deputy director was announced Jan. 9.
Smith will lead more than 20,000 NPS employees.
“Dan has a strong record of leadership in the National Park Service both in Washington and on the front lines as a superintendent of a park that tells the stories of some of the most consequential moments in American history,” said Sec. of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “I can think of no one better equipped to help lead our efforts to ensure that the National Park Service is on firm footing to preserve and protect the most spectacular places in the U.S. for future generations.”
His NPS career also includes service as special assistant to the director and assistant director of legislative and congressional affairs.
In addition, he served as deputy assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the Department of the Interior, where he was responsible for the multi-billion-dollar budgets and programs of the NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with congressional representatives, state and local governments, and other important partners.
Smith takes over the role from Deputy Director Mike Reynolds, who has served as acting director since Jan. 3, 2017. Reynolds has been named superintendent of Yosemite National Park where he grew up and later served as a resource manager, planner and division chief before taking on key roles at the regional and national levels for the agency.
