Denver Service Center Director Ray Todd Receives 2022 Presidential Rank Award

Ray Todd, Denver Service Center Director

Ray Todd, Director of the National Park Service (NPS) Denver Service Center, has received one of the most prestigious awards in federal civil service, the 2022 Presidential Rank Award, Meritorious Executive Award. Ray was selected by President Biden and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to receive this award, considered the highest honor for career civil servants. Ray is one of 233 federal senior leaders receiving the award this year, and the only Park Service recipient.

During his 40-year federal career with the NPS, Ray, a licensed architect, has made significant contributions to the NPS through excellence in project and program management in federal design and construction throughout the national park system. He is an outstanding manager, accomplishing the mission of the NPS by championing a collaborative team approach to project management and ensuring excellent customer service to parks across the country. He is a highly respected leader and is recognized as an expert in all realms of federal design and construction, leading projects in the Park Service’s most iconic locations, including the Grand Canyon National Park, National Mall and Memorial Parks, Statue of Liberty National Monument, and the Flight 93 National Memorial.

“I’m so honored to be selected for this prestigious award. I’ve worked with great teams and professionals throughout my career who share the stewardship I have for both the mission of the National Park Service and commitment to public service,” Ray said. “This award serves as a recognition for the outstanding work the Denver Service Center accomplishes through collaboration with parks, regions, and our partners.”

The Denver Service Center is the central planning, design, and construction project management office for the NPS. The office provides cradle-to-grave project management and delivery; park and community planning; design and construction project management, contracting services, transportation planning, and technical information management for parks and regions. Ray has been Director for this office since January 2016. His leadership is relied on for managing some of the most nationally significant and challenging park projects and programs through effective leadership, influence, and guidance. Colleagues both inside and outside NPS rely on Ray’s leadership, technical expertise, and wide-ranging institutional knowledge. 

In addition to being a licensed architect, Ray is a Project Management Professional, and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. He earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Michigan.

About the Presidential Rank Awards:

The Presidential Rank Awards started in 1978 to recognize outstanding careers of senior leaders in the federal workforce, and remains the premier award for federal leaders. Since 2009, Ray is now the sixth recipient from the National Park Service to receive the Meritorious Executive Rank Award. This year, President Biden selected 233 winners from 33 federal agencies for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and service over an extended period of time. These individuals are all members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps. The complete list of the 2022 Presidential Rank Awards Winners are listed on OPM’s website.