News Release

Penny Wagner selected as superintendent of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

NPS photo

News Release Date: October 7, 2022

Contact: Jeff Wolin

FLORISSANT, Colo. – National Park Service (NPS) Acting Regional Director Kate Hammond announced the selection of Penny Wagner as superintendent of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. The position reports to the Superintendent of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park/Curecanti National Recreation Area.     

Wagner has worked for the National Park Service for nearly 15 years, most recently as the public affairs specialist at Olympic National Park. She began working in her new assignment at the end of July.   

"Penny did an excellent job in a detail in the Florissant Fossil Beds superintendency,” said Hammond. “She has already developed a great rapport with staff and the community, and we are excited to have her in the position full time."   

In this position, Wagner will provide oversight of the staff and resources needed to manage one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world.    

“I am honored to serve as the next superintendent at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument,” said Wagner. “I look forward to working alongside the dedicated park staff, volunteers, partners, and local communities in stewardship of the park's significant natural and cultural resources.”   

Wagner’s first work experience with the NPS began with a summer internship as a volunteer park guide at Montezuma Well while she was in graduate school at Northern Arizona University. Since then, she has worked at Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments in Arizona; Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska; Redwood National & State Parks in California and most recently at Olympic National Park in Washington.   

Wagner holds a master of arts in anthropology from Northern Arizona University and a bachelor of arts in anthropology from Arizona State University.   

Wagner has moved to Colorado with her husband, two kids and family dog. Her husband also works for the National Park Service and recently accepted a position at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve as the chief of facility management. 

Wagner succeeds Therese Johnson who served in the position for three years before retiring in 2021.