Bethany Barron Named Director of Denver Service Center

Barron becomes the 10th Director and first woman Director in the Center’s 53-year history

National Park Service Associate Director Mike Caldwell announced on May 8, 2024 the selection of Bethany Barron as the next director of the National Park Service (NPS) Denver Service Center (DSC). DSC is responsible for the agency’s large-scale planning, design, and construction projects as part of the Park Planning, Facilities and Lands Directorate (PPFL). As the largest project execution office in the Department of the Interior, the Denver Service Center is made up of over 300 planners, landscape architects, engineers, architects, and professionals. The Center currently manages more than $5.4 billion in construction projects, $8 million in planning projects, $2.2 billion in transportation projects and executes over $1.3 billion in contracts annually. Barron will report to her new position June 3, and takes over for Ray Todd who retired this past March.

"Bethany’s broad experience and demonstrated ability to lead change, coupled with an outstanding technical knowledge of construction project execution and her openness to find new ways to deliver projects across the NPS investment funding portfolio, makes her the ideal candidate to lead DSC at this critical juncture." said Mike Caldwell, Associate Director for PPFL.

As a registered professional engineer with over 35 years of experience in the private sector, the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Forest Service, and within the NPS, Barron has gained technical and leadership skills as a civil designer, project manager, and program manager. For the past several years, Barron has been an integral part of the PPFL Directorate serving as the Deputy Associate Director. As the Deputy, she has served as the principal advisor to the Associate Director, managed the Major Construction Division, and served as the program manager for the Great American Outdoors Act. Under her leadership, she created the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) Program Management Office.

"I am very honored to be chosen for this important role within the NPS. I have a great respect for the Center’s past and proud traditions as I worked for DSC as a project manager in the 1990s," said Barron. "I look forward to examining and refining our business practices as we execute numerous large-scale projects brought about by the Great American Outdoors Act, Disaster Supplemental funds, Line-Item Construction, and Recreation and Franchise Fee funds."

Prior to her current position, Barron was the PPFL Construction Program Management Division Chief, developing policy, program formulation, technical leadership, and implementation of planning, design, and construction for all NPS major capital development programs. Her leadership and outstanding business acumen have not only ensured the successful execution of major investments but have also positioned the NPS for continued excellence in the face of evolving challenges.

Barron received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University. She received a Departmental Superior Service award in 2024 in recognition of her outstanding leadership and strategic vision for major construction across the National Park System.