NATCHEZ — Mary Risser, a 32-year career employee of the National Park Service, has been named the new superintendent of the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Risser, who is currently acting deputy regional director and chief of staff for the Intermountain Region of the NPS, will take the reins of the Trace in mid-December.

Risser has served as the superintendent of Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah for the past nine years.

Risser’s NPS career has taken her to Big Bend National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Golden Spike National Historic Site, where she also served as park superintendent.  She began as a secretary in the National Capital Region. She has managed concessions, extensive controversial planning processes and expanded research opportunities for natural and cultural resources.

Risser graduated from Slippery Rock State University in Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.

Risser said she is humbled to be appointed as the superintendent of the Trace and its associated sites.

“I look forward to working with the park staff, partners and communities to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service, and to poise us to enter the service’s second century with all the associated challenges,” she said.