Date: July 24, 2015
Mike Pflaum, a 35-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been selected as
the new Superintendent of Badlands National Park. Pflaum has served as the Superintendent of
Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet, Michigan since January, 2011, with an intervening
assignment at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Pflaum begins his new assignment on August 23,
2015.
“I am pleased to welcome Mike Pflaum as the next Superintendent of Badlands National Park,”
stated Midwest Regional Director Cameron Sholly. “Mike is an outstanding leader and will do a
tremendous job in this position. He has a great blend of experiences and a proven track record of
solving complex problems through innovation and relationship building.”
Pflaum said, “I am honored to be the next Park Superintendent at Badlands National Park. My wife
Barbara and I have strong connections to western South Dakota, the Badlands and Black Hills. The
stunning landscapes, varied wildlife, other great resources, as well as the rich history, make Badlands
National Park a world-class place. It will be my privilege to work with the excellent park staff, the
people of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, park partners, and local communities to care for this great park and
provide outstanding opportunities for our visitors.”
Born in Northfield, Minnesota, Pflaum earned his Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park
Administration at Mankato State University, now Minnesota State University-Mankato. Pflaum
began his NPS career as a park ranger in Yellowstone National Park, serving in a number of positions
of increasing responsibility over 11 years. He served as Chief Park Ranger at Mount Rushmore
National Memorial for more than 18 years, and as Regional Partnership Coordinator for the Midwest
Region. He has also served as Acting Superintendent at Mount Rushmore National Memorial,
George Washington Carver National Memorial, Navajo National Monument, and most recently
Badlands National Park.
Pflaum is married to Barbara Erlandson-Pflaum, a former park ranger who worked for park
cooperating associations in two parks. Barb and Mike enjoy hiking, skiing, bicycling, photography,
and exploring the great parks and wild places of our nation. They have two daughters, Emily in
Minnesota and Katie in Michigan.
