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The staff of Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks recently welcomed Lila Walker, a 17-year National Park Service veteran, as their new chief of administration. Walker began her new assignment at the park in May following the retirement of Rodger Waters earlier in the year.

“Lila’s only been here a few weeks and has already proven herself to be an outstanding addition to our staff,” said Caverns superintendent John Benjamin. “She’s brought with her a wealth of experience. We’re all looking forward to working with her.”

Most recently, Walker was the administrative officer at New River Gorge National River, which includes Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River, in West Virginia. Her career with the National Park Service began in 1990, when she accepted a position in the Southeast Region’s Administrative Officer Intake Program, where she had assignments at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, in Georgia, and DeSoto National Memorial, in Florida. After completing the intake program, she moved on to Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Aztec Ruins National Monument, in New Mexico, followed by Big Thicket National Preserve, in Texas, before moving on to West Virginia.

A Kentucky-native, Walker attended Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky, receiving a degree in Government and Public Administration. In her spare time, she enjoys University of Kentucky basketball, reading, travel, movies and music.

Walker has one daughter, Latricia, who is attending Tiffin University, in Ohio, and a granddaughter, Phoenix.