New superintendent coming to New River Gorge

Nov. 10—GLEN JEAN — Charles Sellars has been selected as the new superintendent of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia with management responsibilities of both Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River.

Selars is expected to begin his new assignment after the new year.

"Charlie has the steady, consistent leadership that will continue to guide this national park to a bright future," said National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke, who selected Sellars for the post. "His extensive experience in facilities management, preservation and working with park partners will guide him as the park continues to better serve visitors from West Virginia and across the country."

"I am honored to have been selected for the superintendent position at New River Gorge," said Sellars. "Being born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains gives me a great appreciation for the culture that is very much part of southern West Virginia and the New River Gorge region."

On Nov. 7, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on Sellars being named the new superintendent.

"Congratulations to Charles Sellars on being named the new superintendent of America's newest and most beautiful national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve," Manchin said. "Charles was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains and brings a unique understanding of the natural beauty and environment he will now be tasked with preserving for future generations to enjoy.

"I look forward to working with Charles to preserve our state's heritage, grow West Virginia's outdoor recreation economy, protect the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and show the United States what wild and wonderful West Virginia has to offer."

Sellars comes from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, where he has served as superintendent since 2019. Before that, Sellars was superintendent of Andersonville National Historic Site, where he served for five years. He also served as acting superintendent of Canaveral National Seashore in 2016 and Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in 2018. In 2012, Sellars served as the acting superintendent of Tennessee's Fort Donelson National Battlefield and National Cemetery.

Sellars began his National Park Service career in 1985 as a temporary engineering draftsman at the Blue Ridge Parkway, a park where he later served in multiple positions. In 1996 he became the maintenance mechanic supervisor within the parkway's Pisgah District. He served as chief of facility management at three parks: Bandelier National Monument, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Outer Banks National Parks Group of North Carolina (managing facilities at three parks), and as deputy chief of facility management at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

He moves to West Virginia with his wife Pam and their children, Michael and Maddie.