News Release

New Superintendent at Palo Alto Battlefield

Superintendent Oralia Fernandez has over 24 years experience in the NPS.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 11, 2020

Contact: Daniel Ibarra, 9565412785

National Park Service Regional Director Mike Reynolds announced the selection of Oralia Fernandez as superintendent of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park in Texas. This position will report to the superintendent of Padre Island National Seashore. Fernandez has more than 24 years of National Park Service experience and currently serves as the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore administrative officer. She assumed her new role on July 5, 2020.

“Oralia has provided high-quality support and leadership to Palo Alto Battlefield over the past several years,” said Reynolds. “Her extensive knowledge of the park and its resources along with her enthusiasm to strengthen visitor engagement will continue to be a great asset to the team.”

“I am deeply humbled and honored to have been selected to serve as the next superintendent of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and to do so in my own backyard,” said Fernandez. “I am also excited that I have been given this opportunity to continue the tireless work of previous superintendents to protect the resources and enhance the visitor experience. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the amazing park staff, wonderful volunteers and partners, and the surrounding communities.”

Career Highlights

Serving as the administrative officer for both Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore since 2009, Fernandez oversees human resources, purchasing, property management, budget administration, contracting, housing, payroll, technology support and correspondence. She began her career with the National Park Service in 1996 as an office automation clerk at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and in 1998 she became the park’s administrative officer.

Fernandez has served in the Army, Army Reserves, Texas Army National Guard, Navy and Navy Reserves. She served in the Navy Reserves concurrently while working at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park from 1996 to 2010. While serving as a Seabee (Construction Battalion) with the Navy Reserves she was recalled to active duty in March of 2003 and again in July of 2005. Fernandez retired from the military December 2010 after having served for 22 years.

Background

Fernandez was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. She studied at Leeward Community College in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is fluent in Spanish. She is an avid runner and has completed 46 half marathons. She completed her first full marathon last year and enjoys traveling to many places to run, most recently in Morocco.