New program manager selected for NPS Regions 6, 7, 8 National Trails Office

News Release Date: November 7, 2024

Contact: National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8

SANTE FE, N.M. - The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Patrick Malone as program manager of Region 6, 7 and 8 National Trails Office. In this role, Malone will administer the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, California National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Oregon National Historic Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

"Patrick is a recognized leader in the National Park Service. His experience and ability collaborating with a variety of partners and stakeholders will serve him well in his new role," said Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten. "Patrick's leadership, planning and program management skills, as well as his many years of experience in resources management, will enable him to succeed in leading federal national trail administration for 10 national historic trails and a special preservation program."

Malone has 19 years of work experience in NPS. He most recently served as the regional manager of natural resources for the Intermountain Region, providing policy and scientific support to the Region's 87 national park units across eight states. He began his NPS career at El Malpais National Monument. He then worked for ten years for state and local government agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations, including the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Boulder County Parks and Open Space, The Nature Conservancy, and Colorado Open Lands. He returned to the NPS to work as a natural resource specialist, planner, and project manager with the Denver Service Center. Malone also served as acting superintendent at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and acting deputy superintendent at Shenandoah National Park.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to work in the National Trails System in cooperation with its many partners and volunteers across the nation," said Malone. "I look forward to helping to plan, protect, develop, and promote national historic trails and visitor experiences for current and future generations."

Malone has relocated to the Sante Fe area and has started working in the new assignment beginning October 20. He succeeds Aaron Mahr who recently retired. Carole Wendler has served as interim acting program manager during the vacancy.

For more information on the National Trails System, please visit: National Trails System (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).