MACRI Symposium 2024 Day 2: Keynote by David Vela

MACRI Symposium 2024 Day 2: Keynote by David Vela

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
David Vela retired from the National Park Service in September 2020 after 30 years with the agency, most recently serving as Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority of the Director. He also served as Chair for the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. He held numerous leadership and executive level assignments in the National Park Service to include serving as a Superintendent, Regional Director, and Associate Director. David was the first Latino to be nominated by the President of the United States to serve as Director of the National Park Service and went through the confirmation process in the United States Senate. He also served as Director of the Texas Child Support program under the Attorney General of Texas. In retirement, David serves on a number of national nonprofit boards that support natural and cultural resource protection, youth, diversity, and National Park Service interests. He is also a national motivational and public speaker inspiring the next generation of diverse conservation stewards and public servants. David is the Founder and President of Vela Heritage Consulting, LLC which specializes in achieving operational interests and effective partnerships with public land management agencies and protected areas at home and abroad. David is a graduate of Texas A&M University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and parks. Over the course of his 38 years of public service and in retirement, he has received numerous national awards for leadership, stewardship, and performance excellence. He is the author of Hola Ranger, My Journey Through The National Parks. David and his wife Melissa have two children and eight grandchildren.