Jim Dougan, a 26-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments in Southeast Utah. 

Dougan recently worked as chief of interpretation, visitor services and resource protection for the two monuments, and has been serving as the interim superintendent since July 2012.

“Jim’s wide-ranging experiences, including assignments at ten national park sites throughout the Service has prepared him well for the challenges of park management,” said Regional Director John Wessels in announcing the appointment. 

Dougan began his career as a seasonal interpreter in 1983 at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.  Subsequent seasonal positions prepared him for a permanent position at Voyageurs National Park as a park naturalist.  A stint with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was followed by various NPS assignments, including chief ranger, backcountry ranger, education specialist, maintenance worker, backcountry coordinator, and wilderness specialist. 

Dougan has also served at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain National Park, and Glacier National Park. 

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as park manager at these magnificent sites in Southeast Utah,” said Dougan.  “The people, places, and stories behind these parks continue to inspire me years after first encountering them while in college in the 1970s.”

A native of Wisconsin, Dougan earned his bachelor of science degree in natural resource management at Utah State University and a master’s degree in counseling at Arizona State University.  Dougan’s life partner, Debra Gage, is also a National Park Service employee.

Contact Information
Name: Patricia Turley
Phone Number: 303-969-2701
Email: patricia_turley@nps.gov