The National Park Service (NPS) is pleased to announce Jacob (Jake) Ohlson has been selected as Deputy Superintendent at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. He has served on the Leadership Team of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska for the last 10 years, most recently as Chief of Maintenance. He began his career assisting with historic preservation projects as a maintenance worker at Glacier Bay. In his nearly 20-year NPS career he advanced through multiple and diverse assignments to recently being named the 2022 Alaska Facility Manager of the Year. Jake replaces former Deputy Michelle Kerns, who was selected as Glen Canyon’s Superintendent in December 2022.
According to Superintendent Michelle Kerns, “Jake has been recognized for his collaborative leadership style and is already proving himself to be a great asset to our team. Jake brings experience with the challenges of managing immense public land areas coping with climate change, substantial water-based recreation, and land-based wilderness, cultural, and natural resources."
According to Deputy Superintendent Jake Ohlson, “I am excited for the opportunity to support the team at Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge protecting important scenic, scientific, cultural, and natural resources, while providing amazing recreation opportunities for the public. I look forward to facing the unique challenges of these national park units together with park partners, Native American Tribes, and local communities. Family trips in this area left us in awe. To now be a part of park management here is such an honor."
As Deputy Superintendent, he oversees park divisions that manage facilities (land and water-based infrastructure), visitor and resource protection (law enforcement and emergency services), interpretation (education and partnerships), science and resource management (natural, cultural and paleontological), and administration (budget and personnel).
Jake is recipient of multiple NPS servicewide awards, individually and for teams he has led, including the Director’s Safety and Health Achievement Award, the Director’s Award for Wellness, and an Environmental Achievement Award for Sustainability. He has served as a firefighter, emergency medical responder, and on numerous Incident Management Teams, including the top position as Incident Commander.
Outside of the NPS, Jake has served as an elected official, as Vice Mayor of the City of Gustavus, Alaska, and received a U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award for community volunteerism. Jake and his wife and three kids enjoy traveling and have been to more than 70 national park sites nationwide. The family is often outdoors recreating and enjoys camping, boating and fishing.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area continues to be an economic engine for the region. A 2022 NPS report shows approximately 3.1 million visitors spent an estimated $332 million in local gateway communities. These expenditures supported a total of 3,840 jobs, $139 million in labor income, $234 million in value added, and $410 million in economic output in local gateway economies.
Encompassing over 1.25 million acres, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers unparalleled opportunities for water-and land-based recreation. The recreation area stretches for hundreds of miles from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, encompassing scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a vast panorama of human history.
Tags: rainbow bridge national monument glen canyon national recreation area deputy superintendent economic impact
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service