Glacier superintendent to start detail in Alaska this month

In a recent email to staff, Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow announced he will serve as the next acting director for the Alaska region of the National Park Service - a shift that comes several weeks before the park is expected to launch its new ticketed entry system for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor.

According to his email, Mow will step into the position April 25 and will hold the role for an undetermined amount of time. Glacier National Park Deputy Superintendent Pete Webster will take over as acting superintendent.

Mow, who will be working from his home in Whitefish due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will be rotating in for Denali National Park Superintendent Don Striker, who served as acting director for the Alaska region for 18 months.

Mow’s email did not provide insight as to how long his detail might last. However, in a separate email to park staff and stakeholders, National Park Service Deputy Director of Operations Shawn Benge wrote “we hope to begin recruiting for the position soon,” indicating the agency has yet to launch a formal hiring process.

Glacier National Park Spokeswoman Gina Kerzman said in an interview Thursday there is no set timeline for how long a Park Service employee may serve a detail position. She also added that the assignments are common practice for the National Park Service and are often given to leaders that boast the most experience.

Before accepting his current post at Glacier, Mow spent 23 years ingrained in the agency’s Alaska region. During his time there, he served as superintendent of the Kenai Fjords National Park and held a variety of other positions at Gate of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and elsewhere.

This won’t be the first time Mow was asked to fulfill a detail assignment, either.

Approximately three years ago he was asked to serve four months as a deputy regional director in Denver when regional directors there were rotating through the director’s office. Mow said in his email that when a new administration comes onboard “there is always a period of transition until permanent positions in leadership are filled.”

He also acknowledged that the timing of his detail is “difficult” considering the park is preparing to implement its new ticketed entry system for the Sun Road. The system was finalized in late March and takes aim at addressing congestion challenges within the popular corridor.

“The superintendent’s office and many of you have been actively engaged in standing up the new system and I will continue to provide advice and support to Pete and the park’s leadership team with this summer’s operation as my duties will allow,” Mow wrote.

He also emphasized that Glacier is one of several parks pursuing pilot-managed entry systems this season. Superintendents from other parks, including Zion, Yosemite and Acadia, are forming a group to share best practices and lessons learned throughout the summer season.

“What we learn at Glacier this summer will be a huge benefit to the entire NPS with regards to visitor use management,” Mow wrote. “Glacier is fortunate to have such a well-seasoned and experienced leadership team and program staff to manage the challenges of the upcoming summer. Rest assured that during this detail I will be advocating for the park’s issues and challenges within the leadership of the National Park Service.”

Reporter Kianna Gardner may be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com