News Release

Selection of Chief of Resource Management

News Release Date: May 10, 2023 Patchogue, NY – The National Park Service (NPS) announces Brendan Newell as the new Chief of Resource Management at Fire Island National Seashore. He is expected to begin the week of May 21.  

Brendan began his career with the National Park Service at Fire Island National Seashore May of 2022, as the Park Planner/Environmental Protection Specialist. Prior to joining the NPS, Brendan served as a Senior Coastal Planner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District where, among other duties, he led the implementation and adaptive management plan of the Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, NY (FIMP) project. Brendan also worked with USACE as a Regulatory Project Manager, where he evaluated permit applications for activities in waters of the United States. While working with USACE he covered both natural and cultural resource management compliance across a variety of projects.  Brendan started his career at sea, where he represented NOAA as a fisheries observer in Alaska, before he shifted to coastal environments while working with the New Jersey Audubon Society.

Brendan holds a M.S. in Integrated Coastal Ecosystem Science, Policy, and Management from the University of New Hampshire and a B.S. in Marine Science from Rutgers University.  

"I am ecstatic to lead the amazing Resource Management team at Fire Island National Seashore!” said Brendan. “I am coming into this new role with 15 years of coastal management experience and a passion for working across disciplines to tackle complex issues."   

Brendan grew up in New Jersey where he often vacationed at the (south) Jersey Shore.  He is looking forward to the next chapter of working with the FIIS team, the Fire Island communities, and our many other NPS stakeholders to be the best possible stewards of Fire Island.