Brad Griest

Brad Griest is a U.S. Park Ranger with more than 23 years of service across four national parks and a deep-rooted commitment to caring for people as much as protecting places. Currently serving as the River Operations Supervisor at Grand Teton National Park, Brad also acts as an Assistant Team Lead for the YELL/GRTE Special Response Team and as a Peer Support Specialist with TIPS/NPS.

Born in Kansas and a proud Kansas State Wildcat, Brad brings the same steadiness to his work that he does to his life outside the uniform. A devoted husband, father, and dog dad, he finds balance fly fishing, camping with his family, chasing elk and antelope, and starting most mornings in the gym “paying the man.”

Over two decades in emergency services have given Brad firsthand insight into the cumulative toll of stress, trauma, and fatigue in high-intensity careers. His contribution to this month’s article on The Power of Sleep reflects a core belief: that small, consistent steps toward healthier habits, mentally and physically, can make a profound difference over time. His goal is to promote longevity and wellbeing during and beyond our demanding careers.

Brad’s career includes service at Rocky Mountain, Cape Hatteras, Great Smoky Mountains, and Grand Teton National Parks. In 2014, he received the Department of the Interior’s Valor Award for extraordinary courage during a nighttime river rescue that saved a motorist’s life, an example of his calm leadership under pressure.

Grounded, experienced, and relentlessly human, Brad Griest continues to serve as a steady presence for both the public and his peers, reminding us that taking care of ourselves is essential to taking care of others.