News Release

Change in Leadership at Virgin Islands National Park

Superintendent Nigel Fields bids Farewell

News Release Date: July 16, 2023

ST. JOHN, U.S. Virgin Islands – The National Park Service (NPS) announces Scott B. Simmons will serve as Acting Superintendent of Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument beginning July 30, 2023. Nigel A. Fields, the departing Superintendent, returns to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in a senior executive position after leading approximately $50 million in recovery efforts on St. John following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Fields arrived on a temporary assignment in December 2018 and was selected for the permanent superintendent position in March 2020. He oversaw the multiple hurricane recovery projects, coral reef restoration efforts, the redevelopment of Cinnamon Bay Campground and the redevelopment and re-openings of the Cruz Bay ball field and playground in partnership with Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation and the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, respectively. He expanded partnerships and advanced community engagement in the redevelopment options for the Caneel Bay area and assisted the Government of the Virgin Islands with their land exchange request for the purpose of constructing a new preK through 12th grade public school. This long-standing goal would create the first public high school on St. John.

“It’s been an honor and career highlight to work with such talented, passionate professionals,” Fields said. “I look forward to seeing the continued recovery and progress the park and community will make together.”

“Nigel has provided effective and consistent leadership in the critical years of hurricane recovery,” said NPS Regional Director Mark Foust. “His ability to manage complex projects has been instrumental in moving the park forward. He will be missed.”

Before arriving for his assignment on St. John, Fields served as the Chief of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers at multiple park locations over an 8-year period. Prior to his NPS career, he was an environmental health scientist and supervisory biologist with US EPA for 14 years.

Deputy Superintendent Scott Simmons steps in as Acting Superintendent for Virgin Islands National Park

Scott Simmons joined VINP in 2021 for a 1-year assignment and was later selected as the permanent Deputy Superintendent, managing park operations. Simmons is a civil engineer by training and an experienced park manager. He served in the National Park Service’s (NPS) Bevinetto Fellows program. Simmons has worked for the Department of Interior's Great American Outdoors Act Program Management Office, the Assistant Secretary of Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and the NPS's Office of Legislative and Congressional Affairs. Prior to his selection as a Bevinetto Fellow, Simmons was the Assistant Director of Design and Construction for the White House and President’s Park. Simmons has also served as the Branch Chief of Facility Maintenance for the National Mall and Memorial Parks, and as a Project Supervisor for the National Capital Region. Simmons is a graduate of the NPS’s award winning Facility Manager Leaders Program and was a recipient of the Roger Kennedy Fellowship that allowed him to obtain a Contexts of Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate from The George Washington University. Simmons, his wife Beth and their two children enjoy reading and experiencing the outdoors on St. John.