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Glacier Conservancy CEO Steps Down

Top post will remain vacant until board of directors hires a replacement

By Dillon Tabish
Mark Preiss, left, CEO of the Glacier National Park Conservancy, speaks during a brief ceromony to welcome Glacier’s new superintendent, Jeff Mow. Justin Franz | Flathead Beacon

Mark Preiss, the president and CEO of Glacier National Park Conservancy, has resigned, according to staff.

Amy Dempster, director of marketing and communications for the Conservancy, said Preiss has moved on for personal reasons.

“After three successful years as our first President/CEO, Mark Preiss has left the Conservancy to take some time off and pursue other opportunities,” Dempster stated. “The Conservancy has made great strides during Mark’s tenure. We thank him for his many contributions to the Conservancy and to the park and we wish him continued success.”

The CEO position will remain vacant until the nonprofit organization’s board of directors hires a replacement.

“They will be figuring out the details in the coming weeks and months,” Dempster said.

The Conservancy is the official fundraising partner for Glacier National Park and has raised support for various improvements and services in the park, including the recent hiker/biker shuttle.

Preiss was hired as CEO in the summer of 2013. The Glacier National Park Conservancy was formed in January of that year as the result of a merger between Glacier Natural History Association and the Glacier National Park Fund.

“Mark ably led the Conservancy through the early days following the merger of the Glacier Fund and the Glacier Association,” Mo Stein, Glacier Conservancy chair of the board of directors, stated. “During his successful tenure, the Conservancy’s support for Glacier projects grew substantially, and we have built the foundation for the public-private partnership between the National Park Service and the Conservancy that gives the park tools to achieve a margin of excellence beyond what could be achieved from its normal budgetary process. Mark has been and remains a great friend of the park and the Conservancy and we know he will achieve continued success.”