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By Jasmine Laws
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President Donald Trump has nominated hospitality executive Scott Socha to be director of the National Park Service (NPS), a move that has been met with public backlash.
Socha is president for parks and resorts at Delaware North, a company that once sued to claim trademark rights to the "Yosemite" name.
The NPS has been without an official director for more than a year, and Wednesday's nomination follows widespread layoffs within the NPS as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce its size.
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The Department of the Interior (DOI) told Newsweek: "The President has nominated highly qualified individuals to serve in key roles across the Department of the Interior. We respect the President’s authority to select leaders who will advance his agenda and serve the American people. We look forward to working with those who are confirmed by the Senate to support Interior’s mission."
Newsweek has contacted Delaware North via email outside of regular working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Over the past year, the Trump administration has implemented a number of changes in regard to the country's National Parks—changes that have been met with a mixed response.
Some people have expressed concern about how America's National Parks are being changed, such as the removal of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day and Juneteenth from the 2026 National Parks fee-free days, prompting lawmakers to raise legislation to counter the move.
The new digital "America the Beautiful" passes with the president's face on them have also been unpopular with some, sparking a lawsuit. It was also announced those who covered Trump’s face could find their pass voided.
Under the direction of Trump's executive order "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," the NPS has also been flagging various exhibitions and signs for review, particularly those about climate change, sea level rise, LGBTQ rights, slavery and racism. Some have already been removed, which has sparked notable backlash.
That said, there has been support for National Park reform, including the lower costs offered to Americans through the "America-first" pricing model and the administration's focus on celebrating American patriotism.
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Who Is Scott Socha?
In his work at Delaware North, Socha provides "strategic direction and ensures that short- and long-term plans are in place to drive business and enhance the company’s destination properties," according to the company's website.
Prior to working as president for parks and resorts and Delaware North Australia, Socha served as a Delaware North vice president and the company’s treasurer. As treasurer, he oversaw Delaware North’s financial planning and analysis, treasury and risk management groups.
Socha has been with the company since 1999 and will continue in his role there while his nomination is pending, a company spokesperson told The Associated Press.
Delaware North describes itself as one of the world’s largest privately owned hospitality and entertainment companies, with more than $4 billion in revenue in 2022. It provides hospitality services in at least six national parks, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Shenandoah.
In 2016, after the company lost a $2-billion bid to renew its contract to continue operating Yosemite’s hotels and restaurants to competitor Aramark, Delaware North sued, claiming it had intellectual property rights to various names used at the park worth more than $50 million—including "Yosemite National Park," "Ahwahnee Hotel" and "Curry Village."
The landmarks were briefly renamed, Ahwahnee Hotel becoming the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, and Curry Village rebranded as Half Dome Village, but in 2019, the lawsuit was settled.
Reactions to Socha's Nomination
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Socha was "totally qualified" to execute Trump’s plans for the park system, according to the Associated Press.
"Scott looks forward to implementing America First initiatives, such as increasing park access for American families, reducing permitting burdens, and raising money for conservation projects," Rogers said.
The Bernhardt Group, an advisory firm set up by former U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt in 2025 consisting of bipartisan leaders, including officials from Trump's first term, also congratulated Socha on his nomination, and applauded the Trump administration.
"Scott is an outstanding choice to lead the charge in preserving America’s natural and cultural treasures," the group wrote in a post on X. "He has dedicated his career to environmental stewardship while strengthening the gateway communities that support and sustain our national parks. We commend the Trump administration for recognizing Scott’s leadership and proven track record through this nomination."
The National Parks Conservation Association has said it's "ready to work with" Socha after Wednesday's nomination. Theresa Pierno, president and CEO for the association, said in a statement: "Our national parks need strong, sensible leadership now more than ever before. Given Mr. Socha’s years of experience working with the Park Service, we hope he will be that leader."
However, others have been less supportive of the nomination. Environmentalists like Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity, told the news outlet SFGATE: "The parks are not about making money for the hotel industry."
"The goal of parks is to protect them so they can be enjoyed by all Americans, now and into the future. That’s the mission of the parks. It’s not to maximize profits of a few companies," he added.
Jayson O’Neill, spokesperson for Save Our Parks, a campaign fighting to save America's parks and public lands, which does not support the Trump administration's policies, said in a statement on Thursday: "The private park concessionaire executive, Socha, has zero experience in public service or conservation."
Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, a nonpartisan conservation advocacy group, said in a statement: "Scott Socha was all in on the Trump administration’s park privatization efforts last time around, even sitting at the table with the Interior secretary and a corrupt congressman.
"Now President Trump and Secretary Burgum want to give him another bite at the apple, taking over an agency that has been decimated by DOGE and is under increasing pressure to whitewash and rewrite American history. Senators must approach this nomination with the utmost skepticism given Scott Socha’s history and the current state of our national parks."
Members of the public have also taken to social media platforms to voice their concern over the nomination. One user wrote: "Here comes the McDonaldsization of the national parks. The GOP has wanted to privatize them for decades."
What Happens Next
Following the president's nomination, the Senate must confirm it before Socha can take up the role. This involves various types of investigation and review, as well as a Senate vote.
Update 2/13/26, 9:20 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from DOI.
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