Washington, D.C. - The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today announced that Tom Kiernan, president for the last 15 years, will be leaving the organization to lead the American Wind Energy Association, a national trade association representing American wind power interests across the U.S. and around the world.

“NPCA is an extraordinary organization that I have had the privilege to lead for the last 15 years,” said Kiernan. “From helping to ensure that the National Park Service has strong management policies to increasing funding for our national parks and monuments to convening the National Parks Second Century Commission, NPCA has had and will continue to have long-lasting successes in protecting and enhancing America’s national parks for present and future generations.”

Tom will remain with NPCA until May 22nd to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. NPCA’s Board of Trustees is forming a Search Committee and will be hiring a national search firm to assist in the selection process for Tom’s successor.

“While the Board is deeply saddened to lose Tom after 15 great years leading NPCA, we fully understand and respect his desire to pursue new challenges,” said Tom Secunda, chairman of NPCA’s Board of Trustees.

Over the last 15 years, Tom Kiernan has built a strong leadership team, and increased the size of the organization dramatically, increasing the field and regional offices from seven to 23, the number of staff from 65 to 160, the size of the annual budget from $17 million to $32 million, and helped fundraise $134 million for the organization’s “Renewing Our Promise” Capital Campaign. NPCA, the nonpartisan, independent membership organization, will continue this year to engage a growing constituency in its mission to protect and enhance America’s National Park System.

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