YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — After nearly eight years at the helm of Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Superintendent Cam Sholly is departing the position to become the chief operating officer of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
YNP notes that Sholly’s tenure at the park included record visitation, navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, and response and repair to catastrophic flooding in 2022. Sholly oversaw $1.5 billion worth of conservation and major infrastructure projects, using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act and “record philanthropic support.” Those projects included historic investments in native fisheries, wildlife conservation and infrastructure; expanded bison transfers to Tribal nations; and the launch of one of the largest public-private employee housing initiatives in National Park Service (NPS) history, per the park.
“Serving as superintendent of Yellowstone has been the greatest professional honor of my life,” Sholly said in the announcement. “Everything we accomplished was made possible by an extraordinary team of employees and partners who care deeply about this park. I look forward to joining the NFWF team and continuing important conservation work on a national scale.”
Sholly began with the park service in 1990, when he started as a seasonal worker at YNP. His career included directing the NPS’ Midwest Region, which involved overseeing 61 parks across 13 states, as well as helping to steer the massive transformation of Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis. His other prior NPS positions include associate director for visitor and resource protection, superintendent of Natchez Trace Parkway, chief of ranger operations at Yosemite National Park and several other NPS headquarters leadership roles. In addition to his work in parks, Sholly served in Operation Desert Storm as a member of the U.S. Army.
“Cam is an exceptional leader who delivered extraordinary results for Yellowstone National Park and the American people,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in the announcement. “His dedicated leadership leaves Yellowstone stronger, safer and better prepared for the future. The Department thanks him for nearly 30 years of distinguished service to our treasured parks and country.”
YNP noted that an interim superintendent will be announced. NPS has begun the process of searching for Yellowstone’s next permanent superintendent.
