Statement by NPCA President Tom Kiernan
“The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) applauds President Obama’s nomination of Sally Jewell, president and chief executive of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), as Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Sally Jewell is an outstanding business leader, advocate for outdoor recreation, and national parks supporter, and will make a top notch member of the president’s cabinet.
“A long-standing board member of NPCA, Sally Jewell’s business expertise and passion for the outdoors, recreation and conservation foretells her success as Secretary of the Interior. She is a collaborative leader who has worked tirelessly over the last decade to get kids and families outdoors and address the national parks’ chronic funding needs. As the leader of one of our country’s major outdoor retailers, Sally Jewell understands extremely well the connection between our economy, jobs, and well protected and funded national parks. She has been a strong supporter of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, and worked with former Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on the Bush Administration’s effort to restore essential funding for our national parks.
“She was also a distinguished member of the National Parks Second Century Commission, where she led efforts to better connect people to parks, reach diverse communities and build a broad-based network of park and outdoor recreation advocates. As such, she understands the importance and benefit of deepening the engagement of all Americans with their national parks while protecting and improving the health of America’s spectacular landscapes within which national parks reside.
“Sally Jewell is a strong business leader and has a proven track record of running one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work.” She truly understands the economic value of investing in our national parks, recreation, and the outdoors, given that the $289 billion outdoor-recreation industry is the source of 6.5 million jobs.
“As the National Park Service approaches its centennial in 2016, we are delighted that Sally Jewell has been asked to serve our country and help ensure our national parks and public lands are preserved, protected, and more accessible for future generations to enjoy.”
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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
