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Cuyahoga Valley National Park Superintendent Stan Austin will speak at the Akron Press Club’s luncheon on Friday, Dec. 17, at the University of Akron’s Martin Center. There will be the opportunity for questions following the speech.

Austin, 52, became the fourth superintendent of the 33,000-acre federal park between Akron and Cleveland on August 22. He is in charge of 180 park staffers and oversees an operating budget of $10 million.

He previously worked as superintendent of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument in northern Arizona and southern Utah. He also served for six months this year as acting deputy superintendent at Yosemite National Park in California.

Austin, a New Jersey native, started his career with the National Park Service in 1978 at Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey. He worked in interpretation, resource management and law enforcement. In 1984, he joined the EPA, working in water protection in Washington. He rejoined the park service in 2003 and was assigned to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado as deputy superintendent. In June 2008, Austin became superintendent of Glen Canyon.

Future Press Club speakers include a January appearance by long-time Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Sheldon Ocker, an update of the state of Akron schools from Superintendent David James in February and County Executive Russ Pry’s annual state of Summit County speech in March. Check the Press Club’s web page, ww.akronpressclub.org, for updates.

Details:

Speaker: Stan Austin, Cuyahoga Valley National Park superintendent.

Time: Buffet luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m., Friday, Dec. 17. Program follows.

Place: Martin University Center, 105 Fir Hill, University of Akron campus.

Cost: $15 for Press Club members, $20 for non-members.

Reservations requested: Call 330-564-4211 or e-mail RSVP@cmoresearch.com