Governor Doug Ducey has appointed Kathryn Leonard to the position of State Historic Preservation Officer. Leonard’s term of service will become effective Sept. 6.
“Historic preservation plays a key role in Arizona’s development,” said Sue Black, Executive Director of Arizona State Parks. “Kathryn Leonard knows how to work with the private sector to preserve Arizona’s past while enriching its future. We are thrilled to have her on the team.”
A Phoenix Resident
A Phoenix resident, Leonard is a professional archaeologist and historian with over 20 years experience in historic preservation and cultural resources management. She most recently served as Operations Director for North Wind Resource Consulting, an Alaskan Native Corporation-owned environmental firm. She served on the State’s Historic Sites Review Committee for three years and most currently as Vice-Chair of the City of Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission.
Her recent professional work as a consultant in the private sector focused on working with federal agencies and tribes in Arizona and throughout the west to facilitate consultation on complex infrastructure projects.
She Follows James Garrison
Leonard previously worked at the State Historic Preservation Office, where she served as National Register Coordinator from 2003-2008. Her appointment as State Historic Preservation Officer follows James Garrison who retired after 24 years of service.
The Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, a division of Arizona State Parks, assists private citizens, private institutions, local governments, tribes, and state and federal agencies in the identification, evaluation, protection, and enhancement of historic and archaeological properties that have significance for local communities, the State of Arizona, or the Nation.
The role and function of the SHPO is defined in both state law (Arizona Historic Preservation Act) and federal law (National Historic Preservation Act, as amended).
For more information, call the State Historic Preservation Office at (602) 542-4009 or visit AZStateParks.com/SHPO.
