News Release

Adrian Fernandez named as new chief ranger of the National Parks of Philadelphia

Adrian Fernandez

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 4, 2024

Contact: Andrew McDougall, 215-435-4372

PHILADELPHIA - Independence National Historical Park is excited to announce that Adrian Fernandez has been selected as Chief Ranger for the National Parks of Philadelphia. “Adrian's values and skill set match the National Park Service vision for the Semiquincentennial and beyond. He is a thoughtful leader who puts staff and visitor safety first” reported Park Superintendent, Steve Sims. Adrian has served as the National Parks of Philadelphia's deputy chief ranger since May of 2022. He begins his new duties effective September 8.  

Adrian was born and raised on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands and earned his degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. His first job with the National Park Service was as a law enforcement officer at Christiansted National Historical Site, Buck Island National Monument, and Salt River Bay National Historical Park & Ecological Preserve. In the intervening 17 years, Adrian worked at the Northeast Region as the ProRanger Program Manager. He also performed temporary assignments at San Juan National Historical Site, Virgin Islands National Park, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, First State National Historical Park, and Gateway National Recreation Area. Prior to joining the NPS, Adrian served in the U.S. Army with three tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, II, and IV.

During his time as Deputy Chief Ranger, Adrian managed many large events and first amendment demonstrations with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local level. He tells us, “I am looking forward to working with all our partners in this new role as we continue to ensure a safe experience for all visitors to the National Parks of Philadelphia through vigilance, integrity, and respectful service, especially as we approach the milestone of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation.”

The chief ranger leads and manages the Visitor & Resource Protection (VRP) division which encompasses 24/7/365 dispatch, law enforcement, and physical security. This workforce, comprised of NPS employees and contracted security guard staff, tops 100 people and provides services for over 3 million visitors annually.

www.nps.gov/inde

Independence National Historical Park, the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Gloria Dei National Historic Site, and the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial make up the National Parks of Philadelphia. The National Parks of Philadelphia are prepared to welcome the world for the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. For more information on our upcoming programs, projects and events, please visit the park’s website http://www.nps.gov/inde or follow us on social media on Instagram, Facebook and X.