David Uberuaga Named New Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park

David Uberuaga Named New Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park
Date: June 1, 2011
Contact: Shannan Marcak, 928-638-7958


DENVER – Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels today announced that Mount Rainier Superintendent David Uberuaga has been named Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park. Uberuaga will begin his duties in mid-July.

"I am extremely pleased that we have someone of Dave's character, experience and ability at Grand Canyon National Park," Wessels said. "He has all the skills necessary to take on the many complex issues that are part of managing a park the size and stature of Grand Canyon."

Uberuaga is currently the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, a post he has held for the past 9 years. During that time he served for more than a year as Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park. He has spent 37 years in federal service and has been with the National Park Service since 1984.

"I am humbled to have been selected as Superintendent at Grand Canyon," Uberuaga said. "I look forward to working with the park staff, the many stakeholders who care so deeply about the park, and the local community. Grand Canyon National Park is a truly spectacular place, one that has inspired people around the world."

Uberuaga has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Idaho. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of the National Parks Conservation Association's Stehpen Tyng Mather Award for promoting environmental preservation in parks; the Department of Interior Cooperative Conservation Award; and the Department of Interior Superior Service Award. In 2008, he was named Federal Land Manger of the year by the Department of Interior.

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, he and his wife Barbara have three grown children, Mark, Michelle and Amy.