New Superintendent at Mount Rushmore Named

The Mount Rushmore Society welcomes Michelle Wheatley as the new superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. A 21-year veteran of the National Park Service, Wheatley has worked in a variety of national parks all over the western U.S. and currently serves as superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument. She assumed her role at Mount Rushmore on March 28.

“It is truly an honor to be selected as the superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial,” explains Wheatley. “I look forward to working closely with the Mount Rushmore Society board of directors and staff. I was in awe reading about all the programs and projects you are currently supporting that invest in you and the future generation of park stewards!”

According to a National Park Service press release, Wheatley’s other assignments with the National Park Service have included serving as superintendent of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and Chief of Interpretation at Colorado National Monument.  She has also served a variety of visitor service positions in Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain National Parks, as well as acting superintendent at Colorado National Monument, and at Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and most recently as acting superintendent at Wind Cave National Park. 

Prior to joining the National Park Service, Wheatley began her public service career as a seasonal employee with the U.S. Forest Service and worked as the Outdoor Education and Science Coordinator for the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado and Environmental Compliance and Safety Program Assistant for the City of Colorado Springs Environmental Services Division.