The latest News Release received from Phil Noblitt at the Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters

[FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway]

The latest News Release received from Phil Noblitt at the Blue Ridge Parkway 
Headquarters:
Park Service Appoints Superintendent
At Blue Ridge Parkway, VA & NC

National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Patricia Hooks announced 
today the selection of Philip A. Francis, Jr. as Superintendent of the Blue 
Ridge Parkway.

"Phil, who has been acting in the position since August, comes to Blue Ridge 
from his position as Assistant Superintendent at Great Smoky Mountains 
National Park where he served for 11 years. Phil's extensive knowledge, 
skills, and experiences gained from a 33 year career with the National Park 
Service (NPS) have provided him with outstanding leadership skills and an 
impressive record of accomplishments in a wide variety of areas.

A native of Grover, N.C., Phil began his career with the NPS at Kings 
Mountain National Military Park as a seasonal park ranger and later as 
Administrative Assistant. In 1978 he entered the two-year NPS Administrative 
Officer training program. Phil went on to serve as Administrative Officer at 
a sequence of parks of increasing size and complexity. Prior to his arrival 
at the Smokies in 1994, Phil was the Associate Regional Director, 
Administration for the Southwest Region for three years. He is a graduate of 
Clemson University with a Bachelor's degree in Administrative Management, 
and he has completed the Department of Interior Senior Executive Service 
Training Program, a year-long series of training and detail assignments 
designed to prepare graduates to be appointed to the most senior positions 
in government bureaus.

"Phil's leadership in cooperating and collaborating with partners embodies 
the true spirit and intent of civic engagement and management excellence. I 
am certain his inclusive approach will serve the Parkway well." said 
Regional Director Hooks.

Phil commented that, "It's both a great honor and a tremendous 
responsibility to be the Superintendent of a park with such outstanding 
scenery and diverse natural and cultural resources. I'm looking forward to 
working with our many supporters, park neighbors and partner organizations 
to further public appreciation and the long-term preservation of this 
special place."

The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, sometimes called "America's Favorite 
Drive," is the most visited unit of America's National Park System. A drive 
down the Parkway provides stunning, long range vistas and close-up looks at 
the natural and cultural history of the southern Appalachian Mountains.