NPS VETERAN TO FILL POST AS SUPERINTENDANT AT HALEAKALA

A 15-year-veteran of the National Park Service has been selected to serve as the next Superintendent at Haleakala.  Sarah Creachbaum replaces Marilyn Parris who is retiring at the end of the month.

Creachbaum is expected to move from Guam, where she is superintendent of War in the Pacific National Historical Park and, on Saipan, the American Memorial Park.

“Sarah is committed to working collaboratively with communities, native peoples, and other government agencies,” said NPS Regional Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.  “She’s an innovative manager who consistently finds thoughtful approaches to extremely complex challenges.”

Creachbaum has served as superintendent at War in the Pacific and American Memorial during a pivotal point in the development of these two World War II areas.  She opened a state of the art visitor center on Guam, addressing the complex cultural interaction between the Chamorran, Japanese and military interests.  She also championed several educational programs at the parks for the schools on Guam and Saipan.

Creachbaum arrived on Guam in 2006.  Prior to that, she served in the coveted Bevinetto Fellowship, a career development program working for a year each on the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, chaired by Senator Daniel Akaka, and in the Washington, D.C. office of the NPS.  “I am delighted to be returning to Haleakala,” Creachbaum said in accepting the appointment.  “I worked at the park on resource issues in 2003 and am looking forward to working with the community and staff.”

Creachbaum also has worked in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Saguaro and Grand Canyon National Parks.

She and her family are expected to arrive at Haleakala in mid February.

(Posted by Wendy Osher:  Thursday, January 08, 2009)  (Photo Courtesy: NPS)