Susan Billingsley - Grand Canyon River Guides

Introducing New Key Members of the GrandCanyon National Park Management TeamIn February, Steve Martin was appointed superintendentof Grand Canyon National Park. Martin’sappointment as superintendent actually marks hissecond tour of duty at Grand Canyon National Park. In1975, Martin began his National Park Service career asa river ranger and was instrumental in developing newconcepts for river etiquette and the river managementplan. Previously, he had worked as a commercial riverguide in the canyon.Steve Martin,Superintendent, Grand Canyon National ParkBetween his two assignments at Grand Canyon,Martin served as superintendent at a number of otherparks including Grand Teton National Park, DenaliNational Park and Preserve, and Gates of the ArticNational Park and Preserve; as Intermountain RegionalDirector from 2003–2005; and as nps Deputy Directorfor the last two years. “I can honestly say that it is goodto be back at the canyon; it is a place that when youreturn you wonder why you ever left,” SuperintendentMartin said.Steve has already met many members of the boatingcommunity on the river and at events such as the 2007Guide Training Seminar. He also looks forward tocontinuing to meet and interact with members of theboating communities, including leaders of the privateboater community and nonprofit organizations, and withother individuals who love the canyon. He said, “GrandCanyon is an extremely busy park with a number ofgreat challenges. It is through healthy partnerships, suchas with guides and other river users, that we will bringforward our most outstanding work.”Joining Martin in key leadership positions at GrandCanyon National Park are Palma Wilson as DeputySuperintendent of Operations, Barclay Trimble asDeputy Superintendent of Business Services, and MarthaHahn as Chief of the Division of Science and ResourceManagement. “Palma, Barclay and Martha bring withthem a high level of expertise and a deep respect for theNational Park Service mission,” Martin said. “I feelthese three have the experience and skills to meetGrand Canyon National Park’s ever changing environmentand to assist me in building a powerful managementteam to meet the park’s numerous challenges.”Palma Wilson arrived at Grand Canyon in July afterserving as superintendent of the Flagstaff Area Monumentsfor the last three years. She has a total of thirtyyears experience with the National Park Service and hasalso served as superintendent of Colorado NationalMonument, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep NationalMonuments in southern Utah, and Pipestone NationalMonument in Minnesota. Palma has a very strong backgroundin interpretation and resource management andstrong leadership skills.“I am honored to have been selected as the deputysuperintendent of operations for Grand CanyonNational Park and look forward to working with parkstaff, local communities, affiliated tribes and park partnersincluding the boating communities,” Wilson said.“This is an exciting time for the Grand Canyon, and Iwelcome the opportunity to work with all stakeholderson projects and issues of mutual interest.”Palma Wilson,Deputy Superintendent of Operationspage 10 page 10grand canyon river guides