Craig Kenkel Named Superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Date: February 24, 2010
Contact: Sue Husari, 510-817-1320
Contact: Lynn Cullivan, 415-561-7006

OAKLAND, California – The Pacific West Region’s Acting Regional Director, Rory Westberg, announced today that Craig Kenkel has been selected as the Superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.  Kenkel, Acting Deputy Superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, will assume his duties in May.   He replaces Kate Richardson, now the Program Manager for Workforce Enrichment in the Washington Office.  “Craig is the consummate professional who brings a rich background in cultural resources and program management to this position,” said Westberg.  

Kenkel spent eight years in Omaha as Cultural Resources Program Chief of the Midwest Region of the National Park Service. He has performed a number of lengthy assignments including Acting Superintendent at William Howard Taft House National Historic Site. He has been the Chief of Cultural Resources at Golden Gate National Recreation Area since 2005.  “I’m excited to be joining the San Francisco Maritime team and helping tell the story of our nation's west coast maritime heritage in San Francisco,” said Kenkel.  “The park cares for an incredible and diverse array of resources that bring this story alive for park visitors.  I look forward to working with the skilled and talented park staff and outside partners dedicated to San Francisco’s maritime history."

A native Iowan, Kenkel and his twin sister Cindy were born in Harlan and, with eight other siblings, grew up on a livestock and grain farm near Earling in the southwest region of the state.  He graduated with an architecture degree from Iowa State University.  He now resides in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco.    In his spare time, he enjoys exploring parks and the urban environment of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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