"We are excited to announce Ben Welch as our new Chief Ranger at Voyageurs National Park. Ben brings a long list of experience, and the right characteristics to help the park and our communities continue to work towards successes,” says Superintendent Mike Ward.
Starting in 2002 as a Student Conservation Association (SCA) intern at Arches National Park, Ben has worked at Capitol Reef, Theodore Roosevelt and Everglades National Parks as an interpretive ranger. As a Visitor and Resource Protection Ranger, Ben has worked at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Redwood, and Yellowstone National Parks. Most recently, Ben served as the East District Ranger in Big Bend National Park.
Ben is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the visitors and other park stakeholders of Voyageurs National Park and to serve the community of International Falls and other communities of northern Minnesota. Although Ben thoroughly enjoys his work with the National Park Service, he is happiest when spending time with his beautiful wife Nancy and their two year old daughter, Marin, and one month old daughter, Sheridan. “We look forward to welcoming Ben and his family to Voyageurs and our surrounding communities,” says Superintendent Mike Ward.
Welch replaces Chuck Remus who faced mandatory law enforcement retirement in late October. Remus will stay on in the new position of Recreation Fee Specialist at the park. “Remus served in the ranger division for over 22-years at Voyageurs National Park and while we will miss him in that position we are very happy to keep his expertise and his great relationships working for the park.”
