Ethan Tyler of Girdwood is Alaska’s new director of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation.
Tyler has 17 years of private-sector and non-profit experience in Alaska, largely in tourism, outdoor recreation and economic development. He is moving to the Department of Natural Resources from his current position as the Economic Development Manager for the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, where he supervises a variety of statewide programs, including the Made in Alaska program.
“A key objective for the State of Alaska is sustaining and protecting our park system by making it less reliant on general funds for its operations,” Natural Resources Commissioner Andy Mack said. “Ethan’s skills and experience make him a natural fit to carry on this important work.”
“I look forward working cooperatively with fellow Alaskans to manage the nation’s largest and best state-park system, and increase opportunities for outdoor recreation in our state,” Tyler said.
Tyler began his Alaska career at the Alyeska Resort in 2000. He joined CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. four years later as a sales manager, and went on to work in management positions at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and the Alaska Community Foundation. From 2009 to 2013, he owned a consulting business that provided communications, sales, marketing and other services to Alaska’s visitor industry.
Tyler has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys ski instructing, backcountry skiing, as well as biking, hiking, surfing and time spent with family.
