Hall and Wilson Join Park Management Team

Deputy Superintendent Kym Hall and Chief of Science and Resources Management Phil Wilson

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 12, 2011

Contact: Denise Germann, 406 888 5838

WEST GLACIER, MT. - Kym Hall, a 25-year veteran of the National Park Service, joined Glacier National Park as deputy superintendent in July and Phil Wilson, a 19-year veteran of the agency, has recently joined as the Chief of Science and Resource Management

For the past six years, Hall was superintendent of three small park sites in Southeastern Arizona; Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. In Arizona, she faced some difficult challenges in dealing with border issues as all three parks were on or near the international border with Mexico. Just prior to her arrival in Montana, she oversaw management of several intense wildland fires.

Hall began her National Park Service career at Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. After a variety of positions, including dispatcher and paralegal, Hall took a position at the National Park Service headquarters in Washington D.C. where she worked on regulations across the country. She was actively involved in the first winter-use regulations at Yellowstone National Park, personal watercraft regulations across the country, and off-road vehicle regulations in many park units. While serving in the Washington Office, she was promoted to the position of Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks where she represented the National Park Service on a variety of challenging issues, including land use, concessions contracts, weapons in parks and other high-profile topics.

Hall, her husband, and three sons, ages 14, 10 and 2, are delighted to be in Northwest Montana. Hall said, "The Northwest is home for my family and me and we've quickly fallen in love with the area." They look forward to the many outdoor activities, especially enjoying the water recreation opportunities and they plan to try skiing this winter. Hall said, "It truly is an honor and a privilege to help protect a place as spectacular as Glacier National Park, and to join such a superb leadership team."

As deputy superintendent Hall will provide management oversight and guidance for the day-to-day operations of the park.

Since 2009 Phil Wilson has served as the Chief of Science and Resource Management at Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in Texas. Wilson now fills a similar position at Glacier National Park overseeing environmental compliance, biological sciences including plant, wildlife and fisheries resources, cultural and curatorial resources, geographical information services and the Crown of the Continent Learning Center

Wilson began his National Park Service career as a trail crew worker in Grand Canyon National Park. He then worked as a park ranger and archeologist at Mesa Verde National Park and the Grand Canyon. He was appointed as the Chief of Resource Management for the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New Mexico and was acting superintendent for Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in Arizona. In 2007 Wilson moved to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in North Carolina as the Chief of Resources and Facility Management.

Wilson is a second generation National Park Service employee, growing up in Petrified Forest, Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks. During high school he worked for several concessionaires of the respective parks. He has experience with the Youth Conservation Corps and served a four-year enlistment with United States Army. He was on the Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Northern Italy, served as a cold weather survival instructor and spent several months in Northern Iraq.

Wilson moves to Glacier National Park with his wife, two daughters, ages 14 and 7, and a son, age 11. Wilson said, "I am honored to be selected for the position and look forward to working with the park staff, leadership team, partners and local communities in the preservation of this special place."

Wilson enjoys all outdoor activities, particularly cycling, hiking, fishing and skiing. He said he and his family are very excited about the educational and recreational opportunities available and can't wait to get settled and begin exploring the area.

-NPS-