Interim Superintendent Appointed at Gettysburg National Military Park

Mel Poole, the superintendent at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland, has been named acting superintendent at Gettysburg National Military Park until a permanent successor to John Latschar is found.

National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis R. Reidenbach says Superintendent Poole will assume his duties on November 23, 2009. Regional Director Reidenbach also named Gettysburg Chief Ranger Brion Fitzgerald acting deputy superintendent.

"I appreciate that Mel has agreed to serve as interim superintendent during this time of transition for the park," said Mr. Reidenbach. "Since he has already stated that he will not seek the position permanently, he will return to Catoctin Mountain Park once we have selected a new superintendent in early 2010."

Superintendent Latschar was reassigned last month after an investigation turned up thousands of sexually explicit images on his office computer.