Mary Hinson was selected for the Chief Ranger position at Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) on July 9, 2006. The park is the fourth most-visited unit of the 390-unit National Park System. Annually, about 8 million visitors come to Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA).
Superintendent William Dickinson said, “It's my pleasure to announce that Mary Hinson has accepted the Chief Ranger position. She has a depth of experience, including a number of years at Lake Mead NRA, with time serving as the Boulder Beach District Ranger and also as the Deputy Chief Ranger. The sheer number of our law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency medical incidents make Lake Mead NRA one of the most complex and challenging law enforcement operations in the National Park Service. She has worked in the field, served as a supervisor, and managed overall law enforcement operations. Mary knows the park, the people, the challenges of the job, and the outstanding skills of our Ranger staff. She is committed to providing the leadership necessary to maintain the very best of ranger operations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and throughout the National Park Service."
While employed at Lake Mead National Recreation Area she has expanded her supervisory, management, and leadership skills. She recently completed Northwestern University Public Safety Executive Management Program. She was also selected for, and participated in, the year-long USDA Graduate School Executive Leadership Program.From 2002 to 2005 she led the Southern Nevada Area Partnership Interagency Law Enforcement Team which consists of multiple law enforcement, investigative, and legal personnel within Clark County, Nevada.
Prior to coming to Lake Mead NRA, she worked as a supervisory park ranger and field ranger at Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. She was an active member of search and rescue teams as a primary responder for high angle, swift water and helicopter/rappelling rescues. She was an advanced technical rock climber, a park medic, and served as an instructor for Basic Technical Rescue, Incident Command System, and Situational Awareness Courses. She has received two U.S. Department of the Interior Valor Awards for courageous service in dangerous conditions.
Mary, her husband Scott, and their two children live in Boulder City, Nevada. She is a breast cancer survivor of fours years. For the past three years, she has raced and placed in the top three of the survivor category, in the Las Vegas Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She is also the team captain of the Dam Walkers. Over the last three years, the Dam Walkers have raised more than $70,000 for breast cancer research and support, in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure held annually in Phoenix, Arizona.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
