News Release

Lindy Mihata Selected as the Associate Regional Director of Operations for the Alaska Region

Lindy Mihata, Associate Regional Director of Operations for the Alaska Region.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: November 2, 2021

Lindy Mihata, a 27-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been selected as the Associate Regional Director of Operations for the Alaska Region. Mihata will have oversight of visitor and resource protection, facilities, concessions, lands, interpretation, education, and partnerships for the 54 million acre region. Mihata has served as the Alaska Regional Chief Ranger since 2016. 

Mihata began her career in 1994 at Sequoia National Park where it was so beautiful, she called her parents from a pay phone and told them she was never coming home! Lindy then held park ranger positions at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Dinosaur National Monument, and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In 2002, Lindy moved to Kotzebue, AK as the Chief Ranger of Western Arctic National Parklands then comprised of four park units: Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. In 2007, Lindy transferred to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as the Assistant Chief Ranger and later became the Chief Ranger. 

In 2016, Lindy returned to Alaska as the Regional Chief Ranger where she led the law enforcement, emergency services, aviation, wildland fire, structural fire, occupational health and safety and the radio shop programs. Mihata is a proven leader in the region recently serving as the acting Deputy Regional Director where she led the Alaska Region’s response to the global pandemic. 

"I am honored to be selected as the Associate Regional Director of Operations. I look forward to supporting parks and protecting resources in the Alaska Region in my new role. Alaska is an amazing place to live and work and I am thankful to have this opportunity,” Mihata said. 

Lindy grew up in the State of Washington and has always had a passion for the outdoors. She graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Recreation Resources and a minor in Law Enforcement.  

Contact: Peter Christian