PAGE, Ariz. – A new deputy superintendent has been named at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
The National Park Service said in a press release that Jake Ohlson has assumed this leadership position, replacing former deputy Michelle Kerns, who was selected as Glen Canyon’s superintendent in December 2022.
“Jake has been recognized for his collaborative leadership style and is already proving himself to be a great asset to our team,” Kerns said in the news release. “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.”
Ohlson has earned multiple NPS service 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 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, Ohlson advanced through multiple and diverse assignments, recently being named the 2022 Alaska Facility Manager of the Year.
“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,” Ohlson said in the news release. “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).
Ohlson has served as a firefighter, emergency medical responder and on numerous Incident Management Teams, including the top position as incident commander.