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North Cascades National Park's Chip Jenkins named Deputy Regional Director

Editor’s note: It with mixed emotions that we congratulate Superintendent Chip Jenkins on his promotion in the National Park Service this week. Chip has been a steadfast supporter of North Cascades Institute over the past five years — particularly our summer youth programs like Cascades Climate Challenge, North Cascades Wild and the Youth Leadership Conference, as well as the operations of our Learning Center on Diablo Lake — and we’re sad to see him go. At the same time, the NPS and the public are fortunate to have someone as professional, dynamic and passionate as Chip is moving up in to this important leadership role. We’ve seen Chip’s eyes sparkle when visiting with our students at remote sites on Ross Lake, and we know that he understands the life-changing values of outdoor experiences for young people, and the crucial role that the our national parks serve in connecting people to nature. He “gets it” and it has been a pleasure to work with him and his team in our partnership with North Cascades National Park. Congratulations Chip — onward!
 

Pacific West Region of the National Park Service News Release
July 19, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO  – Palmer “Chip” Jenkins, Jr., has been named Deputy Regional Director for Resource Stewardship and Planning for the National Park Service in the Pacific West Region. As Deputy Regional Director, he will be responsible for leading and managing park operations for 17 parks located in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as the administration of four major program functions, Cultural Resources Management, Natural Resources Management, Planning and Environmental Compliance.  He will also serve as the Regional Director’s principal representative in the Pacific Northwest and the lead official for the Seattle office of the Pacific West Regional Office.
Jenkins has been on a detail in this role since April 2012.  He replaces Rory Westberg who recently retired after serving as the Deputy Regional Director for 8 years.
“Chip is a proven leader with an incredible track record for tackling tough issues and finding innovative solutions.  Highly personable, Chip is a strong team player, well known for building collaboration among peers, employees, with partners and within the community,” said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz.  “I am delighted Chip accepted this position.  He will be an excellent addition to our region’s leadership team.”

Chip Jenkins, left, with North Cascades Institute executive director Saul Weisberg and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis
 

Jenkins has worked for the National Park Service since 1985.  Most recently, he served as Superintendent of North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area in Washington.  He has also served as Superintendent of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon and Washington, Chief of Strategic Planning of Yosemite National Park in California, as special assistant to the National Park Service Director, and as a resource specialist at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California.  He started his career as a seasonal ranger in North Cascades National Park.
In accepting the position Jenkins said, “I am honored to be offered the chance to work with these outstanding people that serve as stewards of the parks in the Pacific West Region.”
Jenkins is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental studies.  He also is a graduate of the NPS Resource Management Trainee Program.  In his spare time, Jenkins enjoys spending time with his family, skiing, hiking and camping.  He and his wife, Laurie Lee Jenkins, who also works for the National Park Service as an ecologist, have two young boys that continually show them the magic that can be found when exploring the Pacific Northwest.

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