Doug Neighbor Named Superintendent

Date: September 15, 2014

Douglas Neighbor Named Superintendent of Carlsbad
Caverns National Park

DENVER –Douglas Neighbor, a 25-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS) has been named
superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico, according to Sue Masica, Intermountain Regional Director.Neighbor will resume his new position on October 19, 2014.

Neighbor most recently served as interim superintendent at Carlsbad Caverns National Park from April through June of this year. He is presently the superintendent of Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas—a position he has held since July 2011.

"Doug's diverse skills and in-depth knowledge of resource management issues and his demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships with public lands stakeholders make him an excellent choice for this critical position at this very unique resource," said Masica.

Neighbor's other leadership positions with the NPS include superintendent at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho; superintendent at National Park of American Samoa, located in the South Pacific Ocean;and supervisory resource management specialist at Big Thicket National Preserve in Texas and Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.Neighbor also worked as a computer specialist at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and Big Bend National Park in Texas.Prior to his NPS career, Neighbor worked with Texas A&M University as a research assistant and as a wildlife biologist with Texas Park and Wildlife Department.

"I am honored to serve as a custodian of Carlsbad Cavern, a World Heritage site, with its unique, awe-inspiring, and fragile formations," said Neighbor."I look forward to reacquaint myself with the Chihuahuan desert, and to working with the passionate and talented staff. I hope to inspire our visitors to become more connected with our national parks, so that parks continue to remain relevant into the second century of the National Park Service."

Neighbor earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Texas A&M University in 1989.When not at work, Neighbor enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities.

As superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Neighbor will manage a workforce of approximately 70 personnel and an annual operating budget of more than $5.4 million. The park encompasses more than 46,000 acres and 119 known caves, including Lechuguilla Cave, one of
the longest caves in the world and one of the deepest in North America. In addition to its many caves, the park contains one of the few protected portions of the northern Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.In 1995, the park was designated a World Heritage Site.

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About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.