UC native gets big promotion

Posted: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 12:00 am

Union City native Charles Cuvelier, the son of Charles and Helen Cuvelier of Union City, has been named chief of the National Park Service Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services.
Cuvelier has 20 years of experience with the National Parks Service and will be stationed at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Cuvelier is a 1987 graduation of Union City High School and graduated from the former Memphis State University in 1992. He and his wife, Elizabeth Curtis Cuvelier, have three daughters, Scarlett Elizabeth, Savannah Rose and Sadie Jane.
“With over 20 years of experience, Cuvelier’s leadership abilities, field experience and knowledge of the National Parks Service’s parks, programs and partners made him an excellent fit for this position,” associate director for visitor and resource protection Cam Sholly said.
In his new position, Cuvelier will provide national leadership and program direction in all aspects of law enforcement, security and emergency services, including investigative services, professional responsibility, intelligence, stress management in critical incidents, firearms and commissioning of personnel.
His division establishes policy and standards for more than 1,500 protection rangers and special agents throughout the National Park Service. He will also manage a budget of more than $10 million and about 60 employees.
“I’m honored and humbled to serve as the chief of LESES,” Cuvelier said. “I look forward to working with the visitor and resource protection team, our NPS colleagues and our partners. Working together we will be able to enhance our law enforcement and public safety mission in order to serve our employees, the visitor and our resources.”
Cuvelier began his career with the National Park Service as a seasonal park ranger at Grand Teton National Park while attending the former Memphis State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and outdoor recreation. He progressed through the ranks at the agency, serving as a park ranger and subdistrict manager and then as a district ranger at Natchez Trace Parkway in 2000. In 2003, he became the chief ranger at the Natchez Trace Parkway. In 2006, he became the deputy chief ranger at Yosemite and later went on to be named the chief ranger. Cuvelier began work in his latest position on Dec. 16.
He and his family will be relocating to Washington, D.C., this month.

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