Spencer Takes Over The Helm At Petrified Forest National ParkMarch 12th, 2008
By Linda Kor
After eight months of waiting, Petrified Forest National Park has a new superintendent. Clifford Spencer, a 23-year veteran of the National Park Service, was installed as the superintendent of the park during a reception held March 5 at the Painted Desert Community Center.
Those in attendance at the event included representatives from the Arizona Office of Tourism, the Petri-fied Forest Museum Association, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Historic Preservation Society, the National Park Service and the City of Holbrook.
NPS Deputy Regional Director Tony Schetzsle introduced Spencer.
“Superintendents are expected to collaborate with respect and courtesy with their employees, to protect, serve and provide public access to the national parks. This superintendent has done this elsewhere at Point Reyes National Seashore in California, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area in California, Lake Mead National Recreational Area in Nevada, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and most recently in White Sands National Park in New Mexico. I’m sure he will do the same here,” stated Schetzsle.
“As National Park Service employees we are the chief caretakers and ambassadors of these lands that have been set aside for protection and use. Our job is to preserve this for future generations,” added Schetzsle.
Spencer is a 23-year National Park Service veteran who began his service at the Petrified Forest Feb. 3, replacing Brad Traver, who served in an interim capacity following the transfer of Superintendent Lee Baiza.
“It is a priority of mine to maintain and improve continued relationships with Apache and Navajo coun-ties, as well as with the State of Arizona. I know we are all suffering from short budgets, but I’m certain that we can overcome the challenge,” stated Spencer.
According to the new superintendent, listening to those out in the field is what will bring results.
“I want to challenge the staff to come to me with the priorities in their different areas. I will be meeting with each of them for input as to what we need to be addressing. Listening to those individuals who are on the front-line is how I’ll know what really needs to be done,” he commented.
Spencer is a native of Los Angeles, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation administration from California State University, Northridge and an Associate of Arts degree in psychology from Pierce College in Los Angeles. Spencer and his wife of 15 years, Beth, have a 12-year-old daughter.
As superintendent at the Petrified Forest, Spencer will manage 108,693 acres, an annual operating budget of more than $2.8 million and a staff of approximately 55 employees.
Petrified Forest National Park features one of the world’s most colorful concentrations of petrified wood. Also included at the park are the multi-hued badlands of the Painted Desert, historic structures, ar-cheological sites and displays of 225-million-year-old fossils.
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