Part of a series of articles titled 2025 Director's Awards for Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands Directorate.
Article
2025 Director’s Awards for Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands
Starting in 2025, all PPFL Servicewide awards will reflect the year awarded. There will be no 2024 awards due to this change.
The Park Planning, Facilities and Lands (PPFL) Directorate coordinates several awards programs to recognize excellence in performance and dedication to our mission and values. This year, the Directorate is proud to honor the recipients of the 2025 Director’s Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in facility management, accessibility, transportation, and interagency collaboration. These honorees exemplify the National Park Service mission through their innovation, dedication, and commitment to preserving and improving our national parks. Congratulations to all the awardees!
NPS
Excellence in Accessibility Achievement Award
Recipient: Lincoln Boyhood Allee Trail Renovation Team
The Lincoln Boyhood Allee Trail Renovation Team is being recognized for their incredible work transforming a nearly century-old historic trail into an accessible experience for visitors.
This team’s innovative "Modified Lightbulb" design is a prime example of how we can preserve the character of our parks while ensuring they are welcoming to everyone.The team’s success in replacing more than 21,000 square feet of trail surface with exposed aggregate concrete, is a testament to their dedication to craftsmanship and functionality. Their creative solution of using two curved, sloped woodland paths not only met the project’s accessibility goals but also honored the trail’s unique history. This project goes beyond a simple renovation; it's a testament to what we can achieve through collaboration and ingenuity. The Lincoln Boyhood Allee Trail now serves as a national model for how the National Park Service can successfully integrate accessibility into historic landscapes, a challenge we all face. This team's work shows that with a thoughtful approach, we can improve the visitor experience for people of all abilities without sacrificing the integrity of our treasured places.
Awardees on the team include Kevin Schluckebier, Thomas Bentley, David J. Thomson, Rhonda B. Schier, Jim G. Teague, and Kathryn Logsdon.Congratulations to the entire team on this well-deserved honor!
NPS
Excellence in Facility Management: Facility Manager of the Year
Recipient: Patrick Pollard, Facility Manager, Redwood National and State Parks
This year, we are incredibly proud to honor Patrick Pollard of Redwoods National and State Parks as Facility Manager of the Year. Patrick’s leadership is nothing short of transformational. He took a backlogged facility management program facing significant challenges and, through innovative solutions and a collaborative spirit, turned it into one of the most effective in the entire Service. Patrick’s work on complex projects, such as the Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery and Davison Road culvert, demonstrates his ability to not only solve problems but to build lasting relationships. His collaborative work with the U.S. Air Force and state agencies is a prime example of what we can achieve when we reach beyond our immediate teams. This approach sets a new benchmark for excellence and partnership within the National Park Service and beyond.
Congratulations, Patrick, on this well-deserved recognition!
NPS
Excellence in Facility Management Award: Facility Team of the Year
Recipient: Olympic National Park Utilities Team
This year, the Olympic National Park Utilities Team is being honored for their exceptional work in keeping one of the most complex parks running smoothly. Facing a perfect storm of systems failures, environmental threats, and staffing shortages, this team didn’t just get by – they consistently demonstrated foresight, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to teamwork.Their achievements, from mitigating a massive 40,000-gpd wastewater infiltration to innovating manual operations at Sol Duc, showcase the critical, often unseen, work that protects both park resources and the visitor experience. Their dedication went a long way in modernizing critical systems and safeguarding visitor safety and comfort.
Awardees: David Weaver, John Stanek, Robert Kummelehne, Brian Frish, Erik Temple, Michael Guzman, Melissa McCabe, Jonathon Bier, Clay Murdoch, Michael Cameron, Amanda Trinkley, Marie Acorn, Trevor Akkerman, and Kerri Cook.
Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible achievement!
NPS
Excellence in Facility Management: Frontline Hero of the Year Award
Recipient: Edwin T. Viglione
This year, we are honored to celebrate Ed Viglione of Western Arctic National Parklands with the Frontline Hero of the Year Award. For over two decades, Ed has been the quiet, dependable force behind the scenes, ensuring the park operates smoothly no matter what challenges arise.
Ed's unwavering dedication is a constant reminder of the critical work our frontline heroes perform every day. He's the person you can count on, whether solving an after-hours boiler crisis in the dead of winter or taking the time to mentor the next generation of park stewards.
His humility, leadership, and “can-do” attitude truly embody the core values of the National Park Service. Ed doesn't seek the spotlight; he simply gets the job done with a deep commitment to our mission. He is an inspiration to all of us.
Congratulations, Ed, and thank you for your exceptional service.
NPS
Excellence in Facility Management: Superintendent of the Year Award
Recipient: Mike Reynolds
It is with great pleasure that we present the inaugural Superintendent of the Year Award to Mike Reynolds, Superintendent of Death Valley National Park. Mike is being honored for his visionary leadership in infrastructure planning and employee development, which has set a new standard for facility stewardship across the Service.
Mike’s leadership was on full display following the devastating floods in the park. He not only led the critical efforts to repair flood-damaged roads but also leveraged this challenge as an opportunity to train NPS staff, building in-house expertise and resilience for the future. His strategic approach to aligned long-range maintenance plans and optimizing funding strategies has fundamentally changed how parks can approach facility needs.
Mike's work exemplifies how a superintendent can be a powerful force for change, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. His achievements have redefined what is possible and serve as an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations, Mike, on being the first recipient of this prestigious award!
NPS
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Awards: Program Innovation and Development Excellence Award (IDEA)
Recipients: Kevin Gray, Jessica Brown, Sena Wiley, Michael Kulbacki
This year's Program Innovation and Development Excellence Award goes to the extraordinary team of Kevin Gray, Jessica Brown, Sena Wiley, and Michael Kulbacki. Their innovative use of Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOCs) has been a game-changer, demonstrating a strategic and adaptive approach to managing a complex portfolio of projects.
The NPS and FHWA team's ingenuity allowed them to streamline the construction process and, most impressively, direct over 90% of funds directed to on-the-groundwork. Their results driven approach ensures that our resources are used efficiently and effectively where they matter most.
What makes their work truly exceptional is the team's unwavering commitment to collaboration. By working closely with park partners, they ensure that every project was thoroughly scoped, addressed critical natural and cultural resource concerns, and met the unique needs of partners. Their emphasis on context-sensitive solutions is a powerful example of how we can make vital infrastructure improvements, while preserving the irreplaceable settings of our national parks.
Congratulations to the entire team on this well-deserved recognition for their innovative and impactful work!
NPS
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Awards: Partners in Excellence (PIE) Award
Recipient: Denali Polychrome Area Improvements Project Team
In recognition of their outstanding interagency collaboration, technical innovation, and commitment to preserving park access, the National Park Service (NPS) and Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) Denali National Park Polychrome Area Improvements Project Team has been awarded the 2025 Partners in Excellence (PIE) Award. This honor highlights the team’s bold and unified response to the Pretty Rocks Landslide emergency. Faced with a rapidly evolving geologic threat, this incredible turned a crisis into an opportunity. They developed an innovative and sustainable solution to restore access to a vital segment of the Denali Park Road.
This project stands out not just for its technical success but also for the spirit of interagency collaboration that made it possible. With staff from across Denali National Park, the NPS Alaska Region, the Denver Service Center, the Washington Office, and the Federal Highway Administration working together, their unity and transparency set a national model for how we can overcome even the most daunting challenges.Congratulations to every individual on this team for their remarkable work and dedication to our mission.
Awardees include the following staff from Denali National Park, NPS Alaska Region, Denver Service Center, Washington Office, and the Federal Highway Administration.
- Denali National Park: Brooke Merrell, Matthew T. Shaefer, Paul B. Franke, Miriam K. Valentine, Steven A. Mandt, Jakara R. Hubbard
- Alaska Regional Office: Kevin M. Doniere
- Denver Service Center: Madelyn L. Ruffner; Washington Support Office: Denny Capps, Carissa DeCramer, Melissa L. Flottman
- Western Federal Lands Highway Division: Brandon Stokes, Denys Tak, Andrew Rasmussen, Andres Arredondo, David Harvey, Elizabeth Firestone, Rayann Speakman, Doug Anderson, Evan Garich, Orion George, Nick Farny, Benn Oltmann, Jennifer Corwin, Cyrus Bullock, Zeke Rios, Ray Shumway, Adam Davies, Zachary Boehm, Steven Vingara, Justin Bowling, Tyler Yeoman, Michael Madar, Ryan Denham, Rachel Rosen, Leah Wilmot, and David Benter
NPS
NPS/FHWA Federal Lands Transportation Awards: Transportation Outstanding Performer (TOP) Award
Recipient: Mark M. Mitts
This year, we are incredibly proud to honor Mark with the Transportation Outstanding Performer Award for his exceptional leadership of the Midwest Region's (MWR) Federal Lands Transportation Program. Mark's strategic vision has had a lasting and profound impact on our work.
His initiatives, such as the MWR Compliance Sync forum and the strategic transition of preservation contracts, have significantly improved program efficiency and delivery. Mark’s visionary planning helped secure a new vessel for Isle Royale National Park and created a strong foundation that will ensure continued success for years to come.
As Mark moves into retirement, we celebrate not only his outstanding performance but also his dedication to building a program that will thrive in his absence. His legacy is a testament to the power of thoughtful leadership and strategic thinking.
Congratulations, Mark, and thank you for your many years of service to the National Park Service!
These awardees have not only elevated their fields but have helped build a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient National Park Service for generations to come. Learn more about the PPFL awards.
Last updated: August 8, 2025