ST. GEORGE – The Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association Board, along with its federal partners, the Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service and National Park Service, welcomed Kenneth Sizemore this week as the association’s new executive director.
Sizemore brings with him a 27-year career experience with the Five County Association of Governments in Southern Utah. He recently retired as the Five County Association’s executive director, succeeded there by Bryan Thiriot, appointed in May. Full retirement, however, is not in the offing for Sizemore.
“I’m far too young to retire completely,” he said during Wednesday’s board meeting announcing his directorship of the Interpretive Association. “I still have a lot of energy and have a love for this region and want to continue to contribute to our communities,” he said.
Prior to the Five County Association, Sizemore worked as the county planner for Cache County. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Southern Utah University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Utah State University.
According to a statement released by the public affairs office for the BLM and D/ASIA, Sizemore’s enthusiasm and love for community-based work is based primarily on the process of being able to work with community leaders and partners to form ideas, put those ideas in motion and successfully bring goals and projects that benefit the community to fruition.
“Being able to benefit the community I live in — that’s always been a primary goal for me in any of my careers,” Sizemore said.
Sizemore’s affinity for Southern Utah and Northern Arizona’s communities, landscapes, public lands and natural resources, the BLM statement said, comes largely from working with local elected officials, who use and love the lands and their resources.
Sizemore said he stands behind D/ASIA’s mission to “enhance the understanding of the history and resources of the Arizona Strip, Southern Utah region, and surrounding areas,” and is looking forward to the opportunity of getting the word out about the good things D/ASIA does to tie the community to the history of the Arizona Strip and the diverse benefits of public lands managed by its many federal partners.
The Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association is a nonprofit corporation formed in 1994. Its mission, according to its website, is primarily to enhance the understanding of the Arizona Strip and Southern Utah region including its history and resources. D/ASIA is a cooperating association partnering with the BLM, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service to provide interpretation, education, and customer service related materials to area visitors while assisting, where possible, with project funding.
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