Parks Group Responds to National Park Service Director Nomination

Washington, DC – After more than a year without an official director, President Trump has nominated Scott Socha to be the director of the National Park Service. Mr. Socha is an executive leader at Delaware North, a company that contracts with the National Park Service to provide park visitors with lodging, dining and retail services in the parks. His nomination now goes to the Senate for confirmation.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association:

“This nomination of Scott Socha as National Park Service Director comes at a critical moment for the agency. Since January 2025, the agency has lost nearly 25% of its permanent staff. That’s more than 4,000 critical positions gone, and with them, decades of knowledge that is not easily replaced. And it’s not just the people under attack. Rangers have been ordered by the Secretary of the Interior to remove exhibits that discuss, among other things, the history of slavery, the country’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, and climate science.

“The Park Service Director must reverse course on the damage that’s been done to parks and park staff over the last year. If confirmed, he must put the Park Service’s mission first, stand up for park staff, fill critical vacancies and halt attacks on our nation’s history. Our national parks need strong, sensible leadership now more than ever before. Given Mr. Socha’s years of experience working with the Park Service, we hope he will be that leader. NPCA stands ready to work with him.“

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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.