News Release

Steven Sims Chosen as Superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

Sims at Valley Forge National Historical Park.

NPS/VAFO

News Release Date: June 23, 2017

Contact: John Warren, 215-597-1788

PHILADELPHIA - National Park Service (NPS) Acting Northeast Regional Director Cynthia MacLeod has named Steven Sims as the new superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania. Currently serving as Northeast Region’s chief of facility management, Sims will begin his new assignment in late June. He replaces Kate Hammond, who was named Intermountain Region deputy regional director last October after serving as superintendent since March of 2012.
 
“Steve brings a broad set of skills that will be very beneficial to both the park units. He is skilled at bringing partners together to work towards a common goal and values the importance of community engagement,” said MacLeod. “His background as a West Point graduate and military officer will provide the valuable leadership that is needed to define and carry out the mission of the parks.”
 
"I am honored to have been selected to serve as the superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park and Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site,” said Sims. “As a former Army Officer, I feel a deep responsibility for the privilege of caring for the hallowed grounds of Valley Forge where, unarguably, the spirit of the American soldier was born. Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is also a relatively unknown gem that provides a fantastic look at 19th Century iron plantation industrial culture. I look forward to this opportunity to serve these parks and our neighbors in this new role."
 
During his 20-year federal career, Sims has served as the facility manager for Independence National Historical Park and was the civil engineer and facility manager for the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington DC from 2007 until 2011. Prior to working for the NPS, he served as a consultant engineer for Alpha Corporation and an Army engineer officer. He is a registered professional engineer, a certified facility manager and a project management professional. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri and a master’s in Business Administration from Norwich University.
 
Sims is originally from Tehachapi, CA. He is married and has two teenage children. His hobbies include hiking, fly fishing, beekeeping and riding motorcycles.