News Release

Kristofer Butcher selected as superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park

Kristofer Butcher

NPS

News Release Date: March 1, 2023

Contact: Katie Liming, [phone]

WASHINGTON — National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Kym Hall has named Kristofer “Kris” Butcher as the superintendent of Manassas National Battlefield Park in Virginia. He will begin his new role at the park on April 24.

“Throughout his National Park Service career, Kris has demonstrated his desire and ability to listen to and collaborate with colleagues, communities and partners – this mindset and skill make him the ideal person to lead Manassas National Battlefield Park,” Hall said. "His leadership philosophy and passion for preserving and sharing history will ensure a strong future for the park and excellent experiences for the many people who cherish it.”

For the past three years, Butcher served as the first permanent superintendent of Birmingham Civil Rights and Freedom Riders National Monuments, which were established as national parks in 2017. There, Butcher led a team to build strong community partnerships, develop the parks’ first general management plans, create educational programs and help the city of Birmingham, Ala., welcome visitors and athletes for The World Games in 2022. 

Butcher previously served as the chief of business management for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland where he oversaw a budget of more than $45 million, partnerships and administrative functions. He also served as acting regional comptroller in the NPS National Capital Region, providing financial and administrative services to 14 national parks. His experience in budget and administration will help Manassas National Battlefield Park strategically invest the funding the park will receive from the Inflation Reduction Act. 

He began his federal career with the U.S. Postal Service in 2004 before serving in the U.S. Forest Service at Wayne National Forest in Ohio where he was a resource specialist, program assistant and administrative clerk. He later worked with the Small Business Administration’s Eastern Pennsylvania District as an economic development specialist and administrative officer. Butcher graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He is married to Brittany, a physical therapist assistant. They have one child and love traveling and watching movies. 
 

www.nps.gov 

Manassas National Battlefield Park is one of 423 national parks cared for by the National Park Service. The 5,200-acre park preserves, protects and interprets the nationally significant history of the battles of First Manassas and Second Manassas, in addition to topics of natural heritage, the Civil War and African American history. Located in Virginia, the park features over 43 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/mana.