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Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

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  • Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

    THIS JUST IN

    This will appear in several national newspapers tomorrow.

    NPS Northeast Regional Office



    Media contacts: For Immediate Release
    Katie Lawhon, 717- 334-1124 x3121 January 28, 2009
    Phil Sheridan (215) 597-0865

    Latschar to remain in current post as
    Gettysburg Superintendent


    Gettysburg Superintendent John Latschar will remain in his current post, reversing his decision to retire and become president of the Gettysburg Foundation. Latschar made the decision following advice by Department of the Interior ethics officials that would have severely curtailed his ability to work with the park in his new role with the Foundation.

    “When initially approached to consider heading the Gettysburg Foundation, Superintendent John Latschar did what any responsible federal employee should do,” said National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach. “He contacted National Park Service ethics officials, and he also contacted me as his supervisor.”

    When initially informed by the Washington office in October 2008 that there was no ethical issue in accepting the position, Latschar announced his retirement. Subsequently, Department of Interior ethics officials issued supplemental guidance because of Latschar’s involvement in developing agreements between the Foundation and the NPS.

    "The Foundation obviously would have been honored to have John as its next president," said Foundation President Robert C. Wilburn. "But we are thrilled that he will continue to facilitate our successful partnership as superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park." A search committee to find Wilburn’s successor is in place; Wilburn will postpone his departure from the Foundation until a successor is named.

    -MORE-
    “I had been looking forward to the challenges of moving to the private sector and working for the Gettysburg Foundation,” said Superintendent John Latschar. “However, I can't complain about going back to the best job in the National Park Service as Superintendent of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS. We'll now redouble our efforts to make our wonderful partnership with the Gettysburg Foundation the best that the National Park Service has ever seen.”

    The Gettysburg Foundation’s loss is the National Park Service’s gain, and I am happy that John chose to remain as superintendent,” said Reidenbach. “The situation with the ethics guidance was unfortunate, but John Latschar and the Gettysburg Foundation have always maintained the highest ethical standards possible.”
    --NPS--



    Nancy L. Hogan
    Gettysburg National Military Park
    Museum and Visitor Center
    Visitor Services Asst. Manager
    Gettysburg, PA
    Last edited by laurelgirl; 01-28-2009, 03:46 PM. Reason: wrong copy/paste
    Nancy Hogan-Rohrbaugh
    Gettysburg National Military Park
    Museum and Visitor Center
    Visitor Services Asst Mgr and Space Reservations
    Gettysburg, PA
    [URL="http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org"]www.gettysburgfoundation.org[/URL]

  • #2
    Gettysburg National Military Park and Gettysburg Foundation Press Release

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CONTACT:
    Dru Anne Neil
    Gettysburg Foundation
    717-338-1243 ext. 2102
    dneil@gettysburgfoundation.org

    Katie Lawhon
    Gettysburg National Military Park
    717-334-1124 ext. 3121
    Katie_Lawhon@nps.gov


    Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

    John Latschar to take over reins from retiring President Robert Wilburn



    Gettysburg, Pa. (November 7, 2008) - Gettysburg National Military Park

    Superintendent John Latschar will be leaving his post on March 1, 2009 to

    become the new president of the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation, it was

    announced today by the Gettysburg Foundation and the National Park Service.




    “John’s vision and leadership are an important part of the successful

    public-private partnership between the Gettysburg Foundation and the

    National Park Service,” said Robert Kinsley, Chair of the Gettysburg

    Foundation. “John’s experience and dedication exemplifies the type of

    leader we are looking for as we continue to work with the National Park

    Service to preserve Gettysburg for future generations.” Latschar was

    selected after a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors of the

    Foundation.



    “Obviously, Bob Wilburn is leaving some huge shoes to fill,” said Latschar.

    “No one else could have taken the Gettysburg Foundation from a concept to

    the opening of our new museum and visitor center in eight short years. I’m

    excited about the opportunity to continue to work towards the preservation

    and care of Gettysburg NMP and Eisenhower NHS from a new perspective. My

    goal will be ensure that we continue our momentum, and to move the

    organization forward into a new era of philanthropy for the benefit of this

    and future generations.” said Latschar.



    Working as a partner with the National Park Service, the Gettysburg

    Foundation raised $103 million to build a new park Museum and Visitor

    Center which has ensured the preservation of the Gettysburg’s museum

    collections and the Cyclorama painting. The facility’s 24,000 square feet

    of museum exhibits have improved visitor understanding of the significance

    of the Battle of Gettysburg within the context of the causes and

    consequences of the American Civil War. A final keystone to the project

    will begin this winter when the park and the Gettysburg Foundation demolish

    two outdated visitor facilities located upon the center of the Union Army’s

    battle line of July 1863.



    “John’s background and perspectives as an army officer, a combat veteran, a

    Ph.D. historian, and park superintendent contributed to his success in

    addressing preservation challenges at both Gettysburg NMP and the

    Eisenhower Site in innovative ways,” said Dennis Reidenbach, Regional

    Director for the National Park Service Northeast Region. “The projects and

    partnerships he created have dramatically improved the park’s ability to

    meet its mission now and for the future.”



    “It has been a pleasure to work with the dedicated park staff, our

    partners, and the community to create the new museum and implement

    battlefield rehabilitation to restore Gettysburg’s historic integrity and

    enhance visitor understanding of the battle. I’m also proud of our combined

    efforts with Main Street Gettysburg and others to develop the David Wills

    House, a National Park Service museum opening February 2009 in downtown

    Gettysburg about the aftermath of battle and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,”

    said Latschar. “As President of the Gettysburg Foundation, we will continue

    to work with all our Gettysburg-area partners on the implementation of the

    Borough of Gettysburg Interpretive Plan.



    Latschar has been superintendent of Gettysburg National Military Park since

    1994. He is a 31-year veteran of the National Park Service. Prior to his

    appointment at Gettysburg, he served as the first Superintendent of

    Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA, and in various capacities

    at the NPS Denver Service Center. He has been recognized by the National

    Park Service for his leadership numerous times, including being named

    Superintendent of the Year for the Northeast Region of the NPS in 1991 and

    in 2001, Superintendent of the Year for Natural Resource Stewardship in

    2003 and for Cultural Resource Stewardship in 2000.



    The Gettysburg Foundation is in the midst of a $125 million Campaign to

    Preserve Gettysburg, which includes the construction—now complete—of the

    new Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park. The

    Foundation’s broad preservation mission began in 1989 and includes land

    preservation, battlefield rehabilitation, artifact preservation and

    monument and cannon-carriage preservation. The Foundation has more than

    30,000 members and supporters nationwide and internationally.



    Current Foundation President Robert C. Wilburn will step down March 1.

    Wilburn came to the Gettysburg Foundation in 2000, after being President

    and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.



    “Gettysburg is one of the most important places in American history,” said

    Wilburn. “It has been an honor to work to preserve this hallowed ground and

    to excite and inspire the millions of visitors who come here each year.

    With John’s leadership, Gettysburg’s future will be preserved.”



    The Gettysburg Foundation, www.gettysburgfoundation.org , is a private,

    nonprofit educational organization working in partnership with the National

    Park Service to enhance preservation and understanding of the heritage and

    lasting significance of Gettysburg.



    Nancy L. Hogan
    Gettysburg National Military Park
    Museum and Visitor Center
    Visitor Services Asst. Manager
    Gettysburg, PA
    Last edited by laurelgirl; 01-28-2009, 03:45 PM.
    Nancy Hogan-Rohrbaugh
    Gettysburg National Military Park
    Museum and Visitor Center
    Visitor Services Asst Mgr and Space Reservations
    Gettysburg, PA
    [URL="http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org"]www.gettysburgfoundation.org[/URL]

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

      I wondered how all of that was going to play out.

      John Walsh
      John Walsh


      "Is a gentleman with a brostache invited to this party?''

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

        Is this good news or bad news?

        Greg Starbuck
        The brave respect the brave. The brave
        Respect the dead; but you -- you draw
        That ancient blade, the ass's jaw,
        And shake it o'er a hero's grave.


        Herman Melville

        http://www.historicsandusky.org

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

          I can't say that I'm enthused about this.
          [B]Mr. Courtney Micker[/B]


          "It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it."

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

            So I'm confused...is he staying or going? Because there are two opposing press releases from Katie Lawhon.
            Sincerely,
            Emmanuel Dabney
            Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
            http://www.agsas.org

            "God hasten the day when war shall cease, when slavery shall be blotted from the face of the earth, and when, instead of destruction and desolation, peace, prosperity, liberty, and virtue shall rule the earth!"--John C. Brock, Commissary Sergeant, 43d United States Colored Troops

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

              Someone has a great future in Politics!!
              Bud Scully 13th NJ Co.K Mess and 69th NY (N-SSA)

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

                Staying or transferring... either way is a disappointment in quite a few people's eyes.
                [B]Mr. Courtney Micker[/B]


                "It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it."

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

                  Originally posted by Emmanuel Dabney View Post
                  So I'm confused...is he staying or going? Because there are two opposing press releases from Katie Lawhon.
                  Emmanuel,

                  The second press release has a date of November 7, 2008. I think it was added just to show the initial plans of the Superintendent.

                  -Kyle M. Stetz
                  Respectfully,
                  -Kyle M. Stetz
                  Liberty Rifles

                  "I think the prospect for an active and laborious campaign in Virginia is pretty clear and we will again this spring renew our old occupation and struggle between life and death for six more weary months." Capt. Samuel S. Brooke 47th Va. Infantry-- March 27, 1864

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

                    Per the local newspaper today, he is staying as super at the National Park.

                    As previously mentioned, depending on who you talk to, its an even wash good and/or bad.

                    John Walsh
                    John Walsh


                    "Is a gentleman with a brostache invited to this party?''

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

                      Oops Kyle, I didn't notice that ye olde important date. Last e-mail in my NPS box was "come to the retirement party." Thanks for picking up on that.
                      Sincerely,
                      Emmanuel Dabney
                      Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
                      http://www.agsas.org

                      "God hasten the day when war shall cease, when slavery shall be blotted from the face of the earth, and when, instead of destruction and desolation, peace, prosperity, liberty, and virtue shall rule the earth!"--John C. Brock, Commissary Sergeant, 43d United States Colored Troops

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent Named New President of the Gettysburg Foundation

                        So, just for clarification, Bob Wilburn is retiring from the Gettysburg Foundation. It has been his plan from the beginning to retire once the new Museum and Visitor Center was complete. The Foundation offered the position to John Latschar, superintendent of the Gettysburg National Military Park. John Latschar submitted the proposal the the NPS ethics committee who approved it as an appropriate position for him upon leaving as superintendent. The Department of the Interior then re-reviewed it, and last week deemed it as "inappropriate" an after-government job as outlined in the Dept. of the Interior guidelines. SO, John Latschar was leaving, and now he is staying. I just thought that I might be of some interest for everyone.

                        As for a good or bad thing, that is for you do decide whether or not you've approved of his time here. I do not mean to make any value judgement of this. :)

                        Oh, and as of now, the retirement party for John Latschar is off, although another event might be taking its place- stay tuned to any messages that you might receive from the NPS!
                        Nancy Hogan-Rohrbaugh
                        Gettysburg National Military Park
                        Museum and Visitor Center
                        Visitor Services Asst Mgr and Space Reservations
                        Gettysburg, PA
                        [URL="http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org"]www.gettysburgfoundation.org[/URL]

                        Comment

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