American Prairie Names Larry McEvoy Interim CEO
Alison Fox, who has led the conservation group for about nine years, will step down at the end of 2026.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in People
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American Prairie has named Larry McEvoy as interim CEO after Alison Fox announced she will step down at the end of 2026. The organization's National Board of Directors will conduct a search for a permanent CEO.
Why it matters
Fox's tenure saw American Prairie roughly double its land ownership in northeastern Montana to more than 605,000 acres, and the leadership transition comes as the group pursues its goal of a 3.2-million-acre wildlife reserve. The search will determine who guides that long-term plan.
American Prairie holds more than 605,000 acres in northeastern Montana, about half of the 3.2-million-acre reserve it aims to create by combining private and federal land. The permanent CEO search has no announced completion date.
The players
American Prairie
A conservation organization founded in 2001 that works to combine private and federal lands into a large wildlife reserve in Montana.
Larry McEvoy
A Billings-based conservationist who co-founded the Rim Country Land Institute in 2007 with his wife and now serves as interim CEO of American Prairie.
Alison Fox
The longtime American Prairie leader who spent about nine years as CEO and 19 years with the organization, and who is stepping down at the end of 2026.
The details
Larry McEvoy, who lives in Billings, will serve as interim CEO, chosen by the American Prairie National Board of Directors. Alison Fox, who has worked at the organization for 19 years, will remain on the board through this year. The group has also restored bison to its lands, building the herd to nearly 1,000 animals.
Timeline
2001: American Prairie is founded.
2021: The American Prairie National Discovery Center opens in downtown Lewistown.
November 10, 2026: American Prairie announces McEvoy as interim CEO.
End of 2026: Fox's departure as CEO takes effect.
Season Trajectory
The leadership transition comes as American Prairie works to link its private holdings with federal land such as the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Whether the permanent CEO continues that expansion will shape the group's progress toward its reserve goal.
For Montanans who visit or support American Prairie's public lands, the change means the group's programs and access rules are expected to continue under interim leadership. Donors and volunteers will see the same organization while the permanent CEO search proceeds.
The takeaway
Leadership transitions at large land conservation groups can shape how quickly a long-term reserve plan advances. Readers following Montana conservation can watch the permanent CEO appointment as a signal of the group's direction.
What happens next
The American Prairie National Board of Directors will conduct a search for a permanent CEO, with no timeline specified.
Further reading
Explore more people profiles and leadership news from across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Montana Standard.
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