News Release

James Crutchfield selected as park manager for Dry Tortugas National Park

James Crutchfield is the new park manager for Dry Tortugas National Park

NPS/Will Wilson

News Release Date: August 1, 2023

Contact: Media contact: Allyson Gantt, 786-610-8023

Contact: General information, 305-242-7700

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the selection of James Crutchfield as park manager of Dry Tortugas National Park. Crutchfield will begin his new assignment on Aug. 13. 

“James is a dedicated professional, passionate about his role in serving the American people through the mission of the National Park Service,” said Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks Superintendent Pedro Ramos. “His leadership and experience helping with damage assessments after Hurricane Ian make him a perfect choice to continue advancing the extensive recovery work that will benefit our park visitors well into the future.” 

Crutchfield is joining the Dry Tortugas team from the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center, where he served as the monument section manager since February 2022. Prior to that position, Crutchfield served as the chief of facilities, recreation fee project manager, and park mason across 10 years at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine.  

“I am proud to serve as the next park manager helping to protect and preserve the impressive array of natural and cultural resources at Dry Tortugas National Park,” said Crutchfield. “I am excited to continue the park’s great work and look forward to supporting a great team of employees.” 

Crutchfield has supported many parks during his NPS career through incident command systems, responding to several hurricanes and completing historic preservation on some of the most iconic structures in our nation, such as the White House and numerous American Revolutionary and Civil War battlefield monuments. 

Prior to joining the NPS, Crutchfield was a masonry instructor for a career academy program, a Veteran of the Florida Army National Guard, and even delivered a motor vessel from Alabama to Madagascar. 

Crutchfield will be moving from Chattanooga, Tennessee back to his home state of Florida and looks forward to working in an area where he has many personal connections.