Shannon Blackburn Selected as Chief of Denver Service Center Contracting Services

Shannon Blackburn

National Park Service (NPS) Denver Service Center (DSC) announced that Shannon Blackburn was recently selected as the Chief of DSC Contracting Services, following the retirement of Lori Irish in January 2022. She begins her new position March 28, 2022.

“I am happy to announce that Shannon has been selected for this important role within the National Park Service,” said Ray Todd, Director of the Denver Service Center. “The DSC contracting office is the largest in the National Park Service and Shannon’s expertise and experience will be a welcome addition to lead our already outstanding staff.”

Blackburn most recently served as the branch chief for Construction and A/E Acquisition Operations for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Starting in 2018, FWS established the Joint Administrative Operations (JAO) which consolidated and centralized all administrative functions. Blackburn led the organization of the branch, which consolidated the construction and A/E requirements of ten separate regional contracting offices into one. Prior to the JAO, Blackburn served as the division chief of Contracting and General Services for FWS in the 13 states of the Northeast. Blackburn began her federal career with FWS in 2009 where she served as a contracting officer in the Pacific Northwest.

Before joining FWS, Blackburn owned a construction company specializing in concrete and steel buildings. While acting as owner and managing partner, Blackburn earned the designation as an Emerging Woman Owned Business Enterprise. This designation had to be earned by proving that all the work could be self-performed so, if you ever happen to be driving on Highway 101 in Lincoln City, Oregon, you will see several bike lanes, sidewalks, handrails, and living walls constructed by Blackburn and her company.

“I have been wanting to join the National Park Service for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to get started and work on projects with the excellent staff at the Denver Service Center,” said Blackburn.

In her spare time, Blackburn enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 children, and many siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.