Yellowstone Forever is pleased to welcome Yellowstone’s new Superintendent Cameron (Cam) Sholly. Sholly, who succeeds recently retired Superintendent Dan Wenk, stepped into his new role on October 14.

A veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), Sholly has spent many years working with local communities and Tribes on important wildlife and conservation issues, and has overseen several high-profile infrastructure projects and public-private partnerships.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with the extraordinary staff and partners at Yellowstone,” Sholly said about the appointment. “Exceptional work has occurred there over the past years because of the dedication of the NPS staff, partners, and communities. I look forward to continuing a positive trajectory for one of the greatest parks in the world.”

Beginning in 2015, Sholly served as the NPS Midwest Regional Director, managing a team of 2,000 employees, a budget of more than $250 million, and the operations of 61 national park sites spread across 13 states.

During Sholly’s tenure in the Midwest Region, national parks within the region transferred nearly 800 bison to state and tribal governments through a transparent and collaborative process.  He also oversaw several major planning processes, including the recent signing of the record of decision to reintroduce wolves to Isle Royale National Park. The region also supported efforts with states to develop wildlife and land management plans, including a plan to address Chronic Wasting Disease in elk populations in South Dakota.

He improved business processes in the region and collaborated with partners on a variety of complex and important park issues. In 2016, Sholly also established a regional Office of American Indian Affairs, to build stronger tribal relations across the region. Most recently, he oversaw the completion of one of the largest public/private partnership projects in NPS history—the $380-million renovation of the Gateway Arch grounds and museum in St. Louis.

From 2012-2015, Sholly served as the Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection at NPS headquarters, where he managed a national portfolio that included wilderness stewardship, fire and aviation management, risk management, public health, ranger law enforcement, regulations, and the United States Park Police.

From 2009-2012, Sholly served as the Superintendent of the Natchez Trace Parkway, overseeing NPS operations within a 444-mile, three-state corridor that includes 25 counties and 20 communities, with approximately 6 million visitors annually. In 2011, Sholly was named superintendent of the year in the Southeast Region for his sustained partnership and business planning efforts within the corridor.

Sholly’s other previous assignments include: Chief of Staff and deputy to the Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection; detail as Special Assistant to the NPS Director; and Chief of the Ranger Operations Branch in Yosemite National Park. Sholly is a U.S. Army veteran who served in both infantry and combat military police assignments. He was deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991.

Sholly has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Duke University with curriculum concentrations in environmental economics and law and policy. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from St. Mary’s College of California, and is a graduate of the Harvard University Senior Executive Fellows Program.

In 2015, Sholly was awarded the Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service Award for his executive leadership actions. He has been married for the past 21 years to Jill Walston Sholly. They have a high school-aged son.