Bob Vogel of the National Mall Tapped to Lead National Capital Region

Date: December 10, 2014
Contact: Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, 202-619-7177

WASHINGTON –National Park Service (NPS) Director Jonathan B. Jarvis has named 33-year NPS veteran Robert "Bob" Vogel as the new director of the National Capital Region (NCR). Vogel has served as the superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks since July 2011. He begins his new duties on December 14.

"Bob's extensive experience and proven track record managing some of our nation's most iconic and complex national parks make him the perfect leader for the National Capital Region," Jarvis said. "I value his thoughtful and collaborative approach to working with park partners and his dedication to connecting all Americans with their national parks, particularly those in urban areas and especially as the National Park Service approaches its centennial in 2016." 

In his new role, Vogel will oversee 14 superintendents who manage more than 700 park locations in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, a $143 million budget and 1,200 employees. The region's nearly 70,000 acres of federal parkland include some of the most famous places in the world, such as the White House, Antietam National Battlefield and the Lincoln Memorial. The region also includes parks well-known and beloved by locals like Rock Creek Park, Anacostia Park and Prince William Forest Park. More than 46 million visitors travel to the region's national parks for recreation, education, inspiration and relaxation each year. In 2013, visitors to national parks in the region spent $852 million and supported more than 11,000 jobs. 

"I am extremely honored to serve as the National Capital Region's next director. From some of our nation's most iconic places to hidden gems and neighborhood treasures, the National Capital Region is uniquely positioned to invite millions of visitors and residents to experience all that national parks have to offer," Vogel said. "I look forward to furthering our work with park partners as we look at innovative approaches to managing parks in urban areas;extending our assistance and expertise in historic preservation, recreation and scientific research;and finding new ways to be good neighbors."

During Vogel's tenure at National Mall and Memorial Parks he worked closely with the Trust for the National Mall to significantly advance the National Mall Plan and turf restoration;he worked with businessman and philanthropist David Rubenstein to leverage federal and private dollars for a $15 million repair of the Washington Monument following an earthquake in August 2011;he ensured protection of the National Mall's cherished resources while welcoming millions of people during historic events including the 57th Presidential Inauguration and 50th anniversary of the March on Washington;and he proudly assumed NPS responsibility of the new American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in October 2014. 

"From the addition of new memorials to many historic events successfully hosted, I am immensely proud of the work we accomplished at National Mall &Memorial Parks in the last three and a half years. We protected these cherished places for the education and enjoyment of tens of millions of visitors," Vogel said. "As regional director, I look forward to building a sense of community, shared stewardship and responsiveness to those we serve throughout the region." 

Vogel began his NPS career as a seasonal park interpreter. Prior to his tenure at the National Mall, Vogel served for four years as the deputy superintendent of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, as superintendent at Cape Lookout National Seashore in North Carolina, as superintendent at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in North Carolina, as chief of visitor services at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial in Pennsylvania and at Fort Frederica National Monument in Georgia, and as assistant chief of interpretation at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. During his tenure at Cape Lookout, Vogel completed a detail assignment as a Jones Leadership Fellow for the NPS's Washington Office, in the position of associate to the deputy director for operations. 

Vogel is a native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Science degree in natural resource management. Vogel and his wife, Janice, have one daughter, Sara, who is a junior at Roanoke College in Salem, Va. www.nps.gov