The White House announced a new director of the National Park Service (NPS) last week<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 and parks advocacy groups are not happy about the choice.<\/p>\n Hospitality executive Scott Socha is President Trump\u2019s pick to lead the NPS, according to a\u00a0list of new federal appointments<\/a>\u00a0announced on Feb. 11. Unlike many past directors of the NPS, Socha has no apparent experience in public service or conservation.<\/p>\n Moreover, Socha\u2019s company, Delaware North, specializes in hotels and resorts, many of which are located within national parks. Delaware North has even successfully sued the NPS over the ownership of iconic names, including \u201cYosemite National Park.\u201d<\/p>\n The Senate must still confirm the nomination of Socha, who is \u201ctotally qualified\u201d to implement Trump\u2019s plans for the parks, a White House spokesperson told GearJunkie on Tuesday. \u201cScott looks forward to implementing America First initiatives, such as increasing park access for American families, reducing permitting burdens, and raising money for conservation projects,\u201d spokesperson Taylor Rogers said.<\/p>\n However, parks groups point out that Trump\u2019s plans for the park service have also included a proposed\u00a0$900 million cut<\/a>, which parks organizations have said would shutter hundreds of NPS sites around the country.<\/p>\n