Crossen selected as Tower superintendent

National Park Service (NPS) Acting Regional Director Kate Hammond announced the selection of Doug Crossen as superintendent of Devils Tower National Monument. He began working in his new assignment at the park on October 11. The position reports to the superintendent of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.  

Crossen has worked for the National Park Service for over 30 years, most recently as the acting superintendent at Jewel Cave National Monument.

"Doug's experience in park operations, facilities management, supervision, and project writing will be a great asset to Devils Tower," said Hammond. "He brings a calm demeanor and a strong commitment to teamwork, community partnerships and Tribal relations. We are excited to have him on board." 

At Devils Tower, Crossen is responsible for managing the daily operations and staff at the National Monument. The Tower is an astounding geologic feature that protrudes out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people.  

"I love this beautiful nation and the special places preserved within its boundaries," said Crossen. "I look forward to working with park staff, partners and Tribes in the preservation of Devils Tower." 

As an Air Force veteran, Crossen started his National Park Service career in Yellowstone in 1991 as a heavy mobile equipment mechanic. Since then, he has worked at Arches National Park and Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah; Joshua Tree National Park in California; Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site in Alabama; Congaree National Park in South Carolina; and Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota. 

Crossen earned his Associate in Applied Science Degree in Heavy Duty Mechanics from Utah Technical College, Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the United States Air Force (USAF) Non-Commissioned Officer Training School, USAF Training Academy, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana and graduated from the United States Department of Agriculture New Leader Training Program.

Crossen has moved to Wyoming with his wife. They have three children and ten grandchildren, many of whom live nearby. Crossen succeeds Amnesty Kochanowski who served in the position for four years before moving to Independence National Historical Park in Pennsylvania in May 2022.