McInnis will lead efforts to protect and preserve the park’s remarkable biodiversity, forest health and rich cultural connections. The division’s many responsibilities include: fisheries, wildlife and vegetation management; inventorying and monitoring air, water and biological resources; and coordinating myriad research activities. McInnis’ portfolio also consists of cultural resource management, historic structures, archeological sites, cultural landscapes and museum collections.  

“Lisa’s knowledge and leadership of programs across the National Park Service have gained her the experience to skillfully oversee these wide-ranging programs and create new initiatives and partnerships that will help the park handle new challenges on the horizon,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash.

McInnis most recently served as chief of resource management at Natchez Trace Parkway. She has also served as the natural resource specialist and as the fire ecologist, overseeing a vegetation monitoring program at Little River Canyon National Preserve, Mammoth Cave National Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Vicksburg National Military Park, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and Stones River National Battlefield. In addition, she served as acting superintendent at Andersonville National Cemetery and Pinnacles National Park, and as the acting branch chief for natural resources in the North-Atlantic Appalachian Region. She is currently the chair of the South-Atlantic Gulf Region Natural Resource Advisory Committee.

“I am excited and honored to work in a park with such unparalleled resources,” said McInnis. “Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along with other National Park Service areas, continues to be challenged by environmental issues such as air quality impacts and the detrimental effects of nonnative animals, plants, and diseases. I am looking forward to working with the great team at the Smokies to develop stewardship actions that help us deal with these issues.”

McInnis grew up in Belcher, Louisiana and enjoys hiking, horseback riding, home improvement projects and spending time with her husband and their two dogs. She holds a doctorate in forestry from Stephen F. Austin State University.