Supt. Sene brings wealth of experience to Bighorn Canyon

New Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Supt. Dustin Sene has a rich background to call on as he takes the reins of the park and the other three sites in the Powder River Group.

Sene was named permanent superintendent on April 6, overseeing Bighorn Canyon NRA, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Devils Tower National Monument and Fort Laramie National Historic Site, but he had served as acting superintendent of the Powder River Group since January of 2025.

“Having served in this role, I’m starting the position with a good understanding of both the responsibilities and the challenges ahead,” Sene said. “My focus moving forward is on keeping the parks open and accessible while staying true to the National Park Service mission and each park’s enabling legislation. We will continue working to formalize the Powder River Group, seeking efficiencies through shared resources and standardized procedures among the four parks.”

Sene was born and raised in Montana near the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. After attending college, he began his career in the technology sector, working as an engineer in Silicon Valley, assisting in the expansion of a technology company into the European, Middle Eastern and African markets.

He said he became interested in the Park Service in 2008, when his father encouraged him to apply for a tech services position in Yellowstone while working in the park.

“I was fortunate to be selected for the position, so I transitioned to the National Park Service and returned home to Yellowstone,” Sene said. “I began in the Technology Services Division before moving to the Visitor and Resource Protection Division, where I managed the backcountry stock operation and led facility operations for the Bison Conservation Transfer Program. I later accepted my first superintendent position at Tonto National Monument in Roosevelt, Arizona, followed by serving as superintendent of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

“I’ve been fortunate to serve in a number of great positions throughout my career, and each one has been special in its own way. Every park and community has offered unique experiences, challenges and opportunities.”

Sene said he enjoys traveling to the parks he oversees, but even more, he enjoys working with the people at each site.

“I really enjoy the differences between the parks I oversee and the opportunity to visit them in person,” he said. “Each park is unique and has its own story, challenges and opportunities. I especially enjoy meeting with staff, seeing the progress they’re making and learning about the projects and events happening at each park.

“One of the biggest challenges is simply the geographic distance between the parks. For example, it’s a long drive from Lovell to Fort Laramie, and Wyoming weather can make that even more difficult. Each park has staff with different skills and expertise that could benefit the others, but the travel time and distance can make sharing those on the ground resources more challenging.”

While Bighorn Canyon has seen many superintendents come and go over the last 50 years, Sene said northern Wyoming and southern Wyoming are home to him, and he hopes to be able to stay a while.

“I really enjoy the mountains and the rural communities in Wyoming and southern Montana,” he said. “I grew up in the mountains of Montana, so being able to spend time in the backcountry is something I’ve always appreciated and still enjoy every chance I get.”

Sene said he values the mission of the National Park Service and hopes to share that mission with the community.

“What I appreciate about the National Park Service mission is our responsibility to protect and manage these resources so they can be enjoyed by everyone,” he said. “The community plays a big role through stewardship, partnerships and engagement. That includes everything from volunteering and supporting education programs to simply being good stewards when visiting public lands. These parks belong to everyone, and we rely on that shared commitment to help protect them.

“I look forward to being active in the community and building strong working relationships with local partners and residents.”

Asked about his interests and hobbies, Sene noted, “I’ve always enjoyed roping and riding, even if this job doesn’t always allow as much time for it as I’d like. I also make it a priority to get into the backcountry whenever possible.”

Sene concluded, “I am honored to serve permanently as superintendent of the Powder River Group and look forward to continuing to strengthen the program, build relationships with local communities and stakeholders and provide an excellent experience for our visitors.”