W. Clark Bunting, who most recently was president and general manager of the Discovery Channel, next week takes the helm of the National Parks Conservation Association.

NPCA has been operating under acting-President Theresa Pierno since Tom Kiernan left the advocacy group back in May.

“NPCA is honored to have an outstanding leader like Clark Bunting as our CEO,” said Tom Secunda, chair of NPCA’s Board of Trustees, in announcing the selection this week. “His distinguished career as a businessman, as an innovator and his ability to reach and engage large, diverse audiences make him uniquely qualified to lead NPCA and the national parks movement successfully into their second century. He is an ardent and persuasive conservationist and is recognized as such within the media industry and through his personal involvement with many leading conservation organizations."

As president of the Discovery Channel, Mr. Bunting oversaw the flagship network, which now reaches nearly 98.6 million subscribers in the United States. He guided production of some of the company’s most successful and highest rated shows, including Shark Week, Deadliest Catch, Crocodile Hunter, and Mythbusters.

“I am extraordinarily privileged to be joining the National Parks Conservation Association. NPCA has been the key nonpartisan voice of the American people in safeguarding the beauty, wildlife, and cultural resources of the most diverse and spectacular park system in the world,” said Mr. Bunting.

In addition to network programming, Mr. Bunting was closely involved with the network’s environmental advocacy and stewardship. In 2010, Bunting, in partnership with Oceana worked closely with then Sen. John F. Kerry (D-MA) to introduce legislation to further the crusade for shark protection.

Mr. Bunting has been actively involved in the conservation and environmental community for some time. Over the course of his career, he has held board and leadership advisory roles at the American Humane Society, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the World Wildlife Fund, the Ocean Conservancy, the Smithsonian National Zoo Advisory Board, the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.