PAGE, Ariz. — Glen Canyon National Recreation Area recently announced Rich Sweeting has been selected as the new Chief of Facilities Management.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers scenic views and several opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing and boating | Photo of National Park Service, St. George News
Sweeting came to Glen Canyon from Shenandoah National Park, where he served four years as project manager for major construction projects. Park officials said in a media release that Sweeting is a recent graduate of the Facility Manager Leaders Program, an intensive year-long study promoting responsible stewardship and protection of assets of the National Park Service.
“Rich brings a wealth of skill and experience in facility management and project management but I’m most excited to bring his proven leadership abilities to our Park Management and Facilities Teams,” Glen Canyon Deputy Superintendent Jake Ohlson stated in a news release.
As chief of Facilities Management, Sweeting is now responsible for overseeing one of the most complex facilities programs in the National Park Service, park officials said.
Sweeting now manages buildings and structures, utilities, trails and equipment to support the operations of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Glen Canyon’s 1.25 million acres are geographically dispersed through northern Arizona and southeast Utah.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area recently named Rich Sweeting as Chief of Facilities Management, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of National Park Service, St. George News
“I am looking forward to working with our partners and addressing the complex issues that have arisen due to Lake Powell’s fluctuating lake levels in recent years and working together to determine the best way forward,” Sweeting said.
Prior to his work at Shenandoah National Park, Sweeting served 24 years in the U.S. Army, where he completed two tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan and one tour in Israel.
He retired in 2018 as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. Honors received from the Army include a Legion of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, and 9 Army Achievement Medals. Sweeting also dabbled in corporate America for two years after the Army, as general manager of an electrical testing company.
Sweeting earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in project management from Liberty University. He also holds several certifications and has completed multiple leadership and technical courses, park officials said.
Sweeting and wife Rosemary like to travel to other state and national parks and see new things. Their goal is to visit every national park. So far, they have visited 45 of 63 in the United States.
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