The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that Anjna O’Connor has taken the helm as the new superintendent of Big Bend National Park. She started her new role on May 19.
“Anjna has a record of success that demonstrates her superior ability to build coalitions with local, state, and federal partners,” said Deputy Regional Director Lance Hatten. “In Texas, she has well-established relationships with student groups, emergency service providers, and advocates for outdoor recreation. Anjna’s ability to forge and maintain strong partnerships while leading a complex land management organization will be a real asset for Big Bend National Park.”
O’Connor has extensive experience managing US Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds and day-use areas in central Texas, which are visited by 6 million people annually. Her work has included environmental compliance, recreation, flood risk, and natural resource programs. She has also directed large-scale projects such as hospital construction at Fort Cavazos and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Currently, she serves as a supervisory program manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers, overseeing tactical infrastructure construction projects for the U.S. Border Patrol. She has also worked as a deputy district engineer, operations project manager, environmental specialist, recreation specialist, and park ranger.
Big Bend National Park and Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River encompass over 1,200 square miles of wilderness, spectacular scenery, natural dark skies, and rich biological and geological diversity, including the Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande and its canyons.
