News Release

Wind Cave National Park Names Acting Superintendent

Michelle Wheatley is the new Acting Superintendent of Wind Cave National Park.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: June 23, 2020

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-1130

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK – Michelle Wheatley, a 20-year veteran of the National Park Service and currently the superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument, has been named the Acting Superintendent of Wind Cave National Park.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with park staff, partner groups, and getting to know community members,” said Acting Superintendent Wheatley. “Wind Cave National Park has some incredible natural and cultural wonders that I’ll be exploring and learning more about this summer.”

Prior to working at Jewel Cave, she served as the superintendent of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado for five years. Prior to Florissant Fossil Beds, she served as acting superintendent at Colorado National Monument and acting superintendent at Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. She also previously served as the Chief of Interpretation and Outreach Coordinator at Colorado National Monument, lead Education Technician at Rocky Mountain National, and seasonal park ranger at Yellowstone National Park.

Wheatley began her career as a seasonal employee with the U.S. Forest Service at the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District on the White River National Forest and at the Picket Wire Canyonlands on the Comanche National Grasslands. She also worked as an outdoor education program director and summer naturalist teaching youth about nature and science.

Wheatley is expected to serve at Wind Cave through the end of October.