Robert G. StantonSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

From 2010-2014, Stanton served as Senior Advisor to the Interior Secretary, providing executive-level advice and support to the Secretary on environmental, educational, organizational, and management challenges and opportunities. He also represented the Secretary and the Department on Presidential Policy Review Committees, Boards, and Commissions. Before that, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Program Management from 2009-2010.

After his 35-year career with the NPS, Stanton served as an Executive Professor at Texas A&M University in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences; Visiting Professor at Howard University in the Department of History (Public History Program); Professor of the Practice at Yale University in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; and as a board member and consultant to several national conservation organizations.

He was the International Union for Conservation and Nature Ambassador for the Fifth World Parks Congress in 2003 Durban, South Africa, from 2001-2003. As Director of the NPS, Stanton was responsible for policy, planning, and management for the National Park System's 384 natural, cultural, and recreational areas and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

He managed 20,000 permanent, temporary, and seasonal employees and an annual budget of $2.3 billion. Under his leadership, the NPS budget increased by 28 percent, and major park preservation and visitor service programs were launched.

Stanton has been recognized with numerous awards for his leadership in conservation, historic preservation, youth programs, public and government relations, and diversity in employment and public programs. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Huston-Tillotson University and did his graduate work at Boston University. He has been awarded five honorary doctorate degrees.