Gettysburg Foundation Hopes To
It is also addressing visitor center parking problems, primarily lack of handicapped and general parking spaces, about which Civil War News inquired. The newspaper also heard from readers about boulders placed to prevent cars from parking on the grass, parked vehicles and pedestrians in travel lanes on July 3, and lack of stop signs and traffic control. Neil said the Foundation knows from visitor comment cards and surveys that parking improvements and signage are needed. They are trying to do some quick fixes related to parking during high visitation such as the recent July 1-3 anniversary and July 4 holiday weekend. She said the weekend was phenomenal and went amazing well, but Ken Burns’ appearance that Friday led to cars parked on both sides of the parkway. The next day “no parking” signs were posted. People are now directing traffic in the parking areas on weekends. That assistance has gone a long way in helping people navigate, according to Neil. In addition, the bus parking lot, which is less busy during the summer, is used for overflow cars. Visitor center employees park off site and are shuttled to the visitor center on the busiest days to free up their parking lot. Also, handicapped visitors may now be dropped off in front of the building. Neil noted the parking congestion means that people are spending more time at the visitor center, which offers more to do than the old center did, and also they are leaving cars while they take battlefield bus tours. The old visitor center site on Taneytown Road/Ziegler’s Grove still has parking space, primarily for visitors to the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. It’s a 10-15-minute walk from the visitor center. The old visitor center was recently demolished and the Cyclorama Center remains until its future is settled in court. Neil said that parking for the cemetery is part of the restoration plan for that area. The Explore Company of Washington, D.C., an executive and management search firm, is conducting the search for a president to succeed Robert C. Wilburn, the Foundation’s first president, who started in July 2000. He will remain on the 25-member Foundation board after his retirement. Last fall the Foundation announced that Gettysburg National Military Park Superintendent John A. Latschar would take the job in March, but withdrew the job offer after subsequent concern about Department of Interior ethics rules that would have affected his work. Neil said the salary range for the president’s job has not been disclosed. Wilburn is on record as earning $392,735. The job description offers “a base salary, performance-based incentives and an excellent package of employee and health benefits.” According to background information given in the job description, approximately 1.6 million park visitors are expected this year, with 1.3 million at the visitor center and 850,000 buying tickets. The FY 2009 operating budget is $7 million. At peak season the Foundation has 80 full-, part-time and seasonal employees. The new president will have to lead fundraising to reach the $125 million goal ($110 has been raised). The job description notes that the Foundation is in transition from the intense capital campaign phase to “long-term operational and programming focus.” Goals include helping the park preserve the battlefield and other historic resources, enhance the working relationship with the park, increase productivity, provide the highest visitor experience in a welcoming, friendly and information manner, develop programs that increase appreciation for Gettysburg, implement a comprehensive marketing plan and provide for a stable and growing donor base. The job description enumerates specific management and personal skills. The Foundation recently hired its first chief financial officer, Daniel M. Bringman of Gettysburg. He is a former vice president for finance and administration and treasurer at the Lutheran Theological Seminary. This job entails oversight of the Foundation’s accounting, human resources and information technology departments, according to a press release. Elliot Gruber continues as chief operating officer and vice president.
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