Preserving America’s Past for the Future: Mike Owens Joins the Denver Service Center Technical Branch

Mike Owens working hands-on for a Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) project to re-roof Cemetery Lodge at Gettysburg National Battlefield.

What is your name and job title? Michael Canice Owens, Cultural Resource Specialist/Archeologist Technical Branch, Design and Construction, Denver Service Center.

What experience and education do you have? I graduated from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts. I had my eyes set on law school and started my early government career as a public information officer with the Federal Election Commission. That position transitioned into a short legal career as a paralegal in Political Campaign Finance, Non-Profit and Contract Law during the late 1980s and 90s.

In the late 90s I went back to my academic roots in anthropology and enrolled in the Ph.D. program in anthropology at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. I later transferred to Temple University in Philadelphia. I now have over 23 years of experience in the field of cultural resource management.

Initially trained as an archaeologist, I worked as a professional archeologist in the private sector from 1996 to 2006. I joined the National Park Service (NPS) in 2004 as an archeologist at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. In 2006 I shifted the focus from archeology to historic preservation and moved to the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) in Frederick, Maryland as an exhibits specialist working in the wood crafting section on a variety of ;preservation projects on historic structures; and properties all over the NPS. In 2013 I transitioned into the Cultural Resources Program Manager at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area until 2018. Then, I moved back to the Historic Preservation Training Center to serve as an Integrated Resource Program Manager helping out with program and service development. I recently joined the Denver Service Center (DSC) and started this new role in the Technical Branch in February 2021.

What attracted you to a position with the Denver Service Center? I think that the variety of projects that come through the doors of the Denver Service Center is amazing! I worked at DSC on a 120-day detail and really loved working with both the DSC staff and the various parks. You get to see the great breadth of resources and treasures that this country has to offer. As a first generation American I think I may be living my parents dream that they never had the opportunity to realize. I feel extremely fortunate!

What are projects are you working on? I am involved in a variety of project types ranging from repair and rehabilitation of shoreline revetments in Puerto Rico, to Mission 66 building preservation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, lighthouse preservation in North Carolina and utility upgrades in Hawaii, Maryland and California. All with a variety of unique compliance needs.

What is a typical day like? During COVID I must say I am not sure what typical is anymore, but I have been attached to a computer screen in our back bedroom working remotely in Frederick, Maryland. My days start at 6 a.m. and can last until 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. On days like that I must take breaks in between. I try to walk every day to relieve stress and it helps. As the typical day goes it is usually consumed with meetings, researching information for projects, reviewing/writing correspondence scopes/reports and the occasional call with State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), park or regional resource staff. All of this in supporting various projects with meeting their compliance milestones.

What career advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar path? Do not be too narrow in your definition of your career path. Have and open mind and try new things. It is ok to keep an eye on the target but sometimes what that target may move. Be prepared to move with it and follow your heart and what makes you happy.