The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has selected David Szymanski as their new Superintendent, according to an announcement released by the National Park Service. Szymanski will replace Woody Smeck, who served as the former Superintendent for the past 10 years before recently transferring to Yosemite National Park.
Szymanski joins to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area having served as the Superintendent of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. He has nearly 20 years of experience working with communities, parks and protected areas, including 14 years of service with the National Park Service.
“David is an excellent leader, manager and supervisor,” said Pacific West
Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “David excels in maintaining and
developing sophisticated partnerships with all entities, which will be
instrumental in continuing to shape the future of Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area.”
After accepting the position, Szymanski said, “I am very excited about working
with our neighbors, partners and park staff in the Santa Monica Mountains.
I look forward to joining them in their mission to sustain the mountains
and serve all residents of greater Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.”
He will begin his new duties as superintendent in the fall of 2012.
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest
urban national park in the U.S., with over 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. To learn more, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/samo or connect with the park at
www.facebook.com/santamonicamtns .
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service