Virgin Islands National Park Deputy Superintendent Mike Anderson will be retiring on Jan. 3, 2014, after more than 34 years with the National Park Service (NPS). He began his career with NPS in 1979 when he and his wife of 37 years, Gail (Riggs) Anderson, moved to St John so he could accept a summer seasonal park aid position at the park.
During his early years on St. John (1979 to 1983), he worked a variety of positions ending up in a protection ranger position as the Lameshur ranger. After leaving St. John in 1983, Anderson enjoyed a distinguished career with the NPS holding a variety of positions in the Southeast and Northeast Regions.
The majority of his career has been spent in the protection ranger ranks, including 29 years as a commissioned ranger. He has served in field and management level positions in nine NPS areas including Virgin Islands NP and Coral Reef NM, Cape Hatteras NS, Fort Raleigh NHS, Wright Brothers NM, Assateague Island National Seashore, Natchez Trace Parkway, and Brices Crossroads and Tupelo National Battlefields. In his over 13 years at Cape Hatteras, Anderson progressed from park ranger to district ranger (Bodie Island) and served as acting chief ranger. He served as chief ranger of Assateague National Seashore and chief of interpretation and protection on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Prior to returning to V.I. National Park and Coral Reef National Monument as deputy superintendent in 2010, he served as the chief ranger of the NPS Southeast Region. In this position he provided support, direction and leadership to NPS areas from Virginia to the Caribbean.
During his career, Anderson has received numerous performance-related awards including two nationally significant commendations. In 1990, he received the Department of Interior Valor Award for his part in a surf rescue of five swimmers caught in a rip current and heavy surf off the coast of Cape Hatteras.
In 1998, he received national recognition when he was selected to receive the Harry Yount Award, a peer-nominated national award that honors rangers who demonstrate excellence in traditional ranger duties and promote appreciation of the NPS. He, his wife Gail and their family were invited to the White House where the award was presented to him by then President William Jefferson Clinton.
In addition to his permanent postings, Anderson has contributed to NPS operations while serving as acting chief ranger at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Biscayne National Park. He also served as acting superintendent at Congaree National Park, Cape Lookout National Seashore, and Virgin Islands National Park and Coral Reef National Monument, as well as an acting associate regional director in the NPS, Southeast Regional Office.
A life-time member and past board member of the Association of National Park Rangers, he would be the first to say that none of his wonderful career would have been possible without the love and support of his family.
He and Gail have two sons: McLean, who is a computer engineer and Michael, who serves in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. The Andersons are very much looking forward to spending a lot of time with their on-year-old grandson, James.
