Michael Foster, a National Park Service veteran, has been named chief ranger of The Natchez Trace Parkway.

Foster will manage oversee nearly 60 law enforcement rangers, firefighters and other employees of the Parkway’s 444 miles that span three states — Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.

Foster, who has nearly 20 years of experience working for the NPS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service, replaces Allen Etheridge, who earlier this year transferred to Big Bend National Park to serve as chief ranger.

Foster is currently serving in the Valley District of Yosemite National Park in California as a supervisory park ranger and shift supervisor, a position he has held for the past five years. He will begin his duties at the Natchez Trace Parkway Feb. 1.

Foster has held positions at Everglades National Park, Lake Meredith National Recreational Area and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. He received his bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Ohio State University and his master’s in criminal justice from Boston University.

Foster and his family will relocate to Tupelo.