American Prairie CEO Alison Fox to Step Down After Nine Years of Growth

Montanan, Board Member Dr. Larry McEvoy named interim CEO

American Prairie announced today that CEO Alison Fox will step down at the end of 2026, after 19 years with the organization and nearly nine as CEO. Her time as CEO was a period of tremendous growth for the nonprofit. The organization’s National Board of Directors has named board member Dr. Larry McEvoy of Billings, MT, as Interim CEO. McEvoy is a lifelong Montanan, conservationist, emergency physician, and former healthcare CEO.

Fox joined American Prairie in 2007 and became CEO in 2018. She led one of the most consequential periods of growth in American Prairie’s 25-year history. During her tenure, American Prairie significantly expanded its reach, capacity, and impact.

“I fell in love with an audacious idea when I came to American Prairie in 2007, and it’s been the honor of my life to help it take shape on the ground,” Fox said. “A vision that spans generations needs an organization built to outlast any one leader. American Prairie is that organization now. What I’ll remember most is the people: our staff, our neighbors, and the supporters who believed.”

“Ali has led one of the most consequential periods of growth in American Prairie’s history, and she did it with integrity, grace, and care,” said Bill Hilf, chair of the American Prairie National Board of Directors. “We’re grateful for her leadership, and we’re confident in Larry as we consider what American Prairie needs in its next CEO.”

McEvoy, a lifelong Montanan who lives west of Billings, serves on American Prairie’s National Board of Directors and chairs its safety committee. He’s been connected to the nonprofit conservation organization since its earliest days. He founded Cove Canyon Grasslands, a 30-year family-owned land partnership which has restored more than 3,000 acres of the Yellowstone River breaks. His background leading complex organizations has played out in formal roles, consulting, and thought leadership. In addition to his tenure as an emergency physician and healthcare executive/CEO, this role will be his fourth as an interim executive. He is a former executive-in-residence at the Center for Creative Leadership and his book, Epidemic Leadership: How to Lead in the Era of Big Problems, is a handbook for leaders charged with guiding organizations through complex settings and challenging environments.

“I’m looking forward to supporting American Prairie’s staff in building on American Prairie’s great work to date and extending that into the future. As a Montanan, connecting our neighbors, our surrounding communities, and our support community together around the health of land and people will be a huge priority. I look forward to engaging widely around how conservation can be a win for all stakeholders in Montana and beyond.”

Fox will remain with American Prairie through December 31, 2026. The board will conduct a search for a permanent CEO.

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About American Prairie

American Prairie’s vision is to create a vast and collaboratively-managed prairie destination that serves as a fully functioning ecosystem for wildlife, and offers visitors permanent access to the landscape that shaped our nation’s character. Already open to the public for recreation including camping and hunting, American Prairie offers visitors an opportunity to connect with nature on a truly grand scale. Learn more at americanprairie.org.