Roy Zipp Selected as Operations Manager for Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve

Date: June 3, 2015
Contact: Denise Shultz, 360-854-7302

Roy Zipp has been selected as the new Operations Manager for Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, located on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. He replaces Craig Holmquist, who retired in December 2014. He begins his new assignment immediately.

"Roy has extensive experience working on Pacific Northwest issues, having lived and worked at several parks in the region including Mount Rainier and North Cascades," said Acting Pacific West Regional Director, Patricia Neubacher. "He has a diverse skill set and proven track record in building partnerships and managing controversial issues at the federal, state and local level."

Roy holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from McDaniel College, and a Master's Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University. He is currently an Environmental Protection Specialist at North Cascades National Park Service Complex, where he manages the planning, compliance and lands program and co-chairs the Wilderness Team, among other duties. Previously at North Cascades he served as Natural Resource Program Manager, and held a similar title at Big Thicket National Preserve in Southeast Texas, where he landed his first permanent National Park Service (NPS) position.

Roy began his NPS career in 1992 as a Student Conservation Association intern at Mount Rainier National Park, where he worked for several seasons. This experience "was a dream come true for an east coast kid who had never been west of the Pecos." Having worked in a variety of parks on many different and often contentious issues, he brings a breadth of knowledge and experience in natural and cultural resources management, science and stewardship, conservation planning, land resources, special park uses, partnerships and civic engagement.

"I am excited to shift focus and work in a spectacular heritage landscape where people are inextricably linked to the land. I believe the conservation challenge of our time is to find ways to sustain communities and simultaneously preserve the natural and cultural heritage of landscapes where they live. The Reserve's unique federal, state and local partnership provides a great opportunity to pursue this mission because preserving a rural community is literally written into the enabling legislation." Zipp goes on to say "I am also delighted to remain in the Pacific Northwest and pursue my NPS career. I love living where the mountains meet the Salish Sea. I can watch orcas play in Penn Cove, grab some tasty treats at the Coupeville Farmer's Market, then go for a hike in the high country on the same day, which is simply amazing"