Former Scenic Riverways ranger hired as acting superintendent

VAN BUREN, Mo. -- Former Riverways chief ranger Larry Johnson has been selected to serve as acting superintendent at Ozark National Scenic Riverways after Bill Black retired Jan. 3.

Johnson returned to the Riverways on Jan. 16 and will serve as the acting superintendent for up to 120 days while a new permanent superintendent is sought.

"I have many fond memories of my time at Ozark Riverways, where I served as chief ranger 11 years ago," Johnson said. "It's great to see some familiar faces and reconnect with old friends. It is a privilege to work with the local communities as together we make Ozark National Scenic Riverways the best it can be."

Johnson is a 32-year veteran of the National Park Service and has served as superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota since July 2010. He recently completed a 14-month detail to Badlands National Park as deputy superintendent, managing park operations while the park worked on establishing the first Tribal National Park with the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Johnson began his career as a field ranger in interpretation at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and moved into protection and fire management.

He served as a district ranger and scuba-diving officer at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, where he earned the Midwest Region's Safety Achievement Award.

As a subdistrict ranger at Yellowstone National Park, he was commended for helping save the lives of four people involved in a boating accident on Lewis Lake.

While he was district ranger and park pilot trainee at Voyageurs National Park, he was honored with the Midwest Region's Harry Yount Award for excellence as a Park Ranger.