Jim Bacon of Yosemite National Park selected to head National Park Of American Samoa

Jim Bacon has been selected as the new superintendent of National Park of American Samoa, located on the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘u in a remote part of the South Pacific. He replaces Mike Reynolds, who was recently selected as the superintendent of Lava Beds National Monument and the Tule Lake Unit of World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

"Jim has a strong background in park planning and resource management," said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz in making the selection. "His experience working collaboratively with communities to advance ecotourism efforts will be an asset at the park."

Bacon has over seven years of experience working for the National Park Service, with his most recent position being an outdoor recreation planner serving both Yosemite National Park and the Denver Service Center. For the last five years, he has been working on wild and scenic river plans for the Tuolumne and Merced Rivers in Yosemite. Other project work has included the Snake River headwaters comprehensive management plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the Brooks Camp access plan for Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Bacon previously served as a social scientist in Yosemite and helped to start and implement a visitor use and impact monitoring program. Prior to working at Yosemite, Bacon served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala where he advanced community-based ecotourism and environmental education projects.

“My family and I feel so very fortunate to be moving to a place that is beautiful in both nature and culture. The combination of spectacular scenery and vibrant culture are what bring us to the islands and we are eager to learn as much as we can of both. On a professional level, I am also thrilled to work with the dedicated staff at National Park of American Samoa and in surrounding communities, to advance the park’s mission,” Bacon said upon hearing of his selection.