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Contact: Patrick O'Driscoll, 303-969-2839
DENVER — Robert “Bob” Krumenaker, a veteran National Park Service (NPS) superintendent experienced in natural resource management, has been named superintendent of Big Bend National Park by NPS Intermountain Region Director Sue Masica. Krumenaker, superintendent of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin since 2002, will assume his new duties on Sept. 17.The promotion marks his return to Texas, where Krumenaker held his first permanent NPS job at Big Thicket National Preserve in the early 1980s. His 41-year Park Service career has taken him from half a dozen seasonal jobs in several western parks and monuments to resource and leadership roles in NPS Washington headquarters, in two regional offices and at major national parks from Zion in Utah to Shenandoah in Virginia and the Everglades in Florida.
“Bob’s combination of strong leadership experience and resource management know-how equip him well for the challenges and opportunities at one of our most iconic parks,” Masica said. “His ability to cultivate and lead partnerships will be a special asset for both the park and the entire Big Bend community.”
At Apostle Islands, Krumenaker has forged key partner alliances. He helped complete a landmark treaty-rights agreement with 11 Chippewa tribes, and he helped build a highly successful local partnership to handle tens of thousands of winter visitors when extended deep freezes opened access to spectacular ice caves along miles of frozen Lake Superior.
“Big Bend is one of the world's special places, and it is an honor to be among its protectors,” Krumenaker said. “I couldn't be more excited to join the park’s team of passionate NPS employees, partners, and neighbors who call it home.”
Krumenaker began his NPS career in 1977 as a full-time volunteer at Canyonlands National Park. He has worked in more than 10 national parks in a variety of positions, from field ranger to superintendent. He also served in leadership roles in two different NPS regional offices.
A Senior Executive Fellows graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Krumenaker earned his bachelor’s degree in science at Brown University and his master’s in forest science at Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. He is also a graduate of the Department of the Interior Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program.
Krumenaker enjoys woodworking and furniture craft, history and good fiction, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.
Last updated: August 15, 2018