A 10-year National Park Service employee is the new deputy superintendent of Shenandoah National Park.
Raquel Montez was acting superintendent at Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia, having been its administrative officer since 2016, a Nov. 15 NPS news release said.
“Raquel has excellent experience managing people and park operations. She is well known for her ability to engage with employees,” Superintendent Patrick Kenney said in the release. “She has proven to be a critical thinker who can resolve complex problems. She will be an excellent addition to the Shenandoah team.”
Montez was the supervisory human resources specialist for the National Capital Region of the National Park Service, the release said. She was a human resources specialist for the National Credit Union Administration in Alexandria, Va. A 13-year U.S. Army veteran, Montez served as a military police officer.
“Montez holds a master’s in human resource management, a bachelor’s in information security and a graduate certificate in IT project management,” the release said. “She is a Franklin Covey All Access Pass Program Facilitator, a Green-Dot Bystander Intervention Facilitator and a DOI Diversity Change Agent facilitator.”
National Parks’ natural beauty and historical significance make them sanctuaries for visitors, Montez said, according to the release.
“Whether they visit for recreational or educational purposes, I find great joy in their awe-inspiring moments,” Montez said in the release. “I’m excited to join Shenandoah National Park. I look forward to joining the team and continuing the work of protecting these wonderful and unique spaces. As a leader, I will dedicate my efforts to mentoring the next generation of NPS leaders.”
Shenandoah National Park, established Dec. 26, 1935, attracts 1.4 million visitors each year, according to National Geographic. The 197,411-acre park features visitor centers Dickey Ridge, Byrd/Big Meadows and Loft Mountain. The park was first proposed in 1901, but it took Virginians donating property to make it a reality.
“Using eminent domain, the commonwealth acquired property from some 5,000 landholders and donated the parcels to the federal government,” National Geographic said.
