new west news brief
Glacier Park’s New Superintendent: Chas Cartwright
By Matthew Frank, 3-25-08
Glacier National Park has a new superintendent, Chas Cartwright. We just got the press release in our inbox. Here it is:
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March 25, 2008
DENVER – Chas Cartwright, a 21-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS) has been named superintendent of Glacier National Park in Montana, according to Intermountain Regional Director Mike Snyder. Cartwright will assume his new position in late May. He will replace Mick Holm, who served as superintendent for six years before retiring from the NPS.
In making the announcement, Snyder said, “Chas brings a wealth of in-depth knowledge and broad experience to this vital position. He is a seasoned superintendent, with a firm commitment to the preservation and protection of park resources, and a keen ability to interact with partners, communities, and Congressional leaders.”
Cartwright currently serves as superintendent at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, where he is responsible for the management of 199,045 acres. During his 36 years of federal service, he has held a number of managerial positions including associate to the NPS deputy director in Washington, D.C. Since 1989, he has held a number of superintendent positions at park units including Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado, Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota, and Hovenweep National Monument in Utah and Colorado. He has also held acting superintendent positions at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah.
Cartwright began his career with the NPS in 1987 at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and Natural Bridges National Monument as their first archeologist. Prior to joining the NPS, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management as an archeologist, and for the United States Forest Service as a fire lookout, river ranger, and firefighter.
“To say that my wife Lynda and I are excited about moving to Glacier country is an understatement,” said Cartwright. “I am honored to be selected as Superintendent and look forward to getting acquainted with all of the various individuals and groups who care about the park. My focus will be on building relationships. Glacier National Park has an incredibly dedicated staff of permanent and seasonal employees, volunteers, and partners, whom I look forward to working with.”
A native of Detroit, Cartwright graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology (1972). He is an avid athlete who regularly bikes, skis, swims, hikes, and kayaks. He is married to Lynda Stocks, a native of Moab, Utah, who has a son and daughter, and they in turn have five grandchildren.
As superintendent of Glacier National Park, Cartwright will be responsible for the management of 1,013,572 acres, a staff of approximately 151, and an annual operating budget of more than $12,030,000. This site was designated Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site in December 1995.
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In a statement today Congressman Denny Rehberg said, “Mr. Cartwright brings a lot of experience to the table that benefits the Glacier community. I welcome him and his family to the area. As the only member of the Montana delegation with a seat on the Appropriations Committee, I’m going to continue to do everything I can to make sure Glacier’s needs are met and I look forward to working with Chas on those needs.”
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