News Release

Rebecca Lasell Named Superintendent of Jean Lafitte National Historical Site and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

New Jean Lafitte National Historical Site and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Superintendent  Rebecca Lasell

NPS

News Release Date: January 13, 2025 ATLANTA — Mark Foust, Regional Director of the National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf, announced today the appointment of Rebecca Lasell as the new superintendent for Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Lasell will begin her new role on January 12, 2025, overseeing the two parks, which encompass six sites throughout southern Louisiana. The parks highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Lower Mississippi River Delta and celebrate the birthplace of jazz.

“Rebecca brings a strong background in leadership and park management, grounded in many years of experience working with local communities, partners, and stakeholders,” said Foust. “With her in-depth knowledge and experience at both Parks and Preserve, she will seamlessly transition into her new role, with clear focus on conservation and collaboration.”

“I’m deeply connected to the NPS through my ancestral ties to many of its sites,” Lasell said. “It’s an honor to be Superintendent to share these and other untold histories. I’m excited to build lasting connections with present and future generations through the multi-million-dollar revitalization underway across almost all the parks’ sites.”

With nearly 27 years of public service, Lasell brings a wealth of experience to her new position. She began her tenure with the NPS in 2014 as Superintendent of Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, Alaska. In 2016, she moved to Louisiana, drawn by both the warmer climate and the opportunity to be closer to family. She served as both acting Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent for the two parks she will now lead.

Before joining NPS, Lasell worked for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where she served as the California Desert District’s Deputy District Manager of Resources, managing 11 million acres of public land. Her extensive background includes complex landscape planning, meaningful tribal consultation, and cultivating partnerships across organizations. Her experience in the BLM’s national budget and cultural resources offices and as liaison to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shaped her leadership approach.Lasell holds a master’s degree in anthropology, which deepens her appreciation for the region’s culture and history. Her partner has deep roots in Acadiana, and together they share a love for Louisiana’s vibrant culinary traditions. In her leisure time, Lasell can be found refining her sailing skills on Lake Pontchartrain.

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