Sarah Hopson Named Superintendent of Biscayne National Park

News Release Date:
July 25, 2024

Contact:South Florida National Parks and Preserve Contact: Allyson Gantt, (786) 610-8023

Contact:Biscayne Contact: Ted Firkins, (305) 283-1979

Homestead, Fla - The National Park Service (NPS) today announced the selection of Sarah Hopson as superintendent of Biscayne National Park, effective July 28. Hopson served as the park's acting superintendent for four months this year.

"Sarah is a seasoned NPS veteran who values the NPS workforce and the importance of community engagement," said Pedro Ramos, superintendent of Everglades and Dry Tortugas national parks, who also oversees Biscayne National Park. "I am certain that her expert organizational experience will prove beneficial as Biscayne works to advance its highest priorities."

Prior to Biscayne, Hopson served as chief of staff for the Southeast Region since 2021. In this role, she collaborated with regional leadership to provide strategic vision and facilitate the success of key management objectives for the 75 park units in the region. Some of her accomplishments include supporting completion of the land exchange at Virgin Islands National Park, the acquisition and rehabilitation of the Selma Interpretive Center at Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and the A.G. Gaston Motel at Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Sarah was also instrumental in the coordination of financial plans and management structure for six newly established park units. Hopson also helped guide regional responses to many critical issues affecting the NPS to include coral reef health, shoreline stabilization, disaster recovery, and numerous other park planning efforts.

"Biscayne's employees, volunteers, and interns demonstrate their passion and dedication to the NPS mission every day and I am honored to become a permanent member of their team," Hopson said. "I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the community and stakeholders to navigate the unique and complex challenges that face one of the largest marine parks in the NPS."

Hopson began her NPS career 18 years ago as a program assistant for the NPS Cultural Resources Stewardship, Partnerships, and Science Directorate in Washington, DC. She also worked for the Office of the NPS Liaison to the White House, served as acting superintendent for Guilford Courthouse National Military Park and as the management analyst to the NPS Southeast regional director. Prior to joining NPS in 2006, she worked for the National Trust for Historic Preservation where she fostered state and local partnerships.

Hopson holds a bachelor's degree in history earned at Covenant College in Georgia. She calls Salt Lake City, Utah home but has deep roots in the southeast with family located throughout the region. Outside of work, Hopson enjoys baking, traveling (often to NPS sites), hiking and reading.

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