Mike Reynolds Honored with Inaugural Superintendent of the Year Award for Excellence in Facility Management

Mike Reynolds receives 2025 Excellence in Facility Management Superintendent of the Year Award

NPS

The National Park Service is proud to recognize Mike Reynolds, Superintendent of Death Valley National Park, as the recipient of the 2025 Director’s Excellence in Facility Management Superintendent of the Year Award. As the inaugural honoree for this category, Mike sets a high standard for leadership, vision, and innovation in facility management across the Service.

Mike’s leadership has transformed how Death Valley National Park approaches infrastructure, long-term planning, and workforce development. Through active engagement in project value analysis and long-range financial planning, he has ensured that park operations remain sustainable and resilient in the face of environmental and fiscal challenges.

One of his most notable achievements was leveraging the Historic Preservation Training Center’s Heavy Equipment Safety Training Program to address extensive flood damage—simultaneously repairing park roads and training one-third of all NPS Equipment Operators in Fiscal Year 2024. Mike has also prioritized employee growth, supporting training and career development across the facility team. From HVAC certifications to Facility Management Professional Program participants, his staff thrive under his mentorship.

Mike has played a key role in helping the park fully formulate its cyclic maintenance program through 2030, earning recognition from regional leaders. His strategic use of multiple funding sources—including Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), and disaster supplemental funds—has maximized impact, even when facing contracting or staffing barriers.

In the aftermath of severe flooding, Mike led efforts to right-size park infrastructure, strategically downgrading paved roads to gravel and identifying 200 miles of roads for long-term storage. These actions reflect a commitment to asset sustainability and responsible stewardship.

Mike’s dedication to “relentless communication,” collaboration, and forward-thinking strategy makes him an exceptional example of what superintendent leadership in facility management can achieve.

Please join us in congratulating Mike Reynolds, the 2025 Superintendent of the Year for Facility Management—an inspiring leader shaping the future of park infrastructure and operations across the National Park Service.