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Thomas Baker has been named acting superintendent of Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. Baker will assume his new duties at the end of May. He replaces Vicki Snitzler, who is retiring later this month after a 31-year-old National Park Service career. Baker is currently serving as superintendent of Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming. He describes himself as a passionate advocate for heritage preservation. His passion grew during his NPS career, which began as a crew leader for the first roof stabilization project on the Au Sable Light Station at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. He later spent 15 years as a builder specializing in rehabilitation/restoration of historic homes and commercial buildings. His experience with historic preservation will be helpful at Oregon Caves, because the park is preparing an extensive rehabilitation project to the Oregon Caves Chateau, a national historic landmark. Baker’s other experience includes curatorial/archival duties, interpretation, visitor center management, fee program management and serving as a management assistant. “His multifaceted skills and holistic approaches have led him down a career path that has specifically related to preservation and partnerships,” Oregon Caves spokesman George Herring said in a press release. “His experience runs the gamut from the initial schematic planning level to fully operational facilities.” Baker has worked with federal and nongovernmental agencies, state agencies and private nonprofit organizations. He has also collaborated with 25 traditionally associated tribes over the past 2½ years to bring tribal perspectives to Fort Laramie National Historic Site. “I am excited to be at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve for the historic preservation and partnership opportunities it affords,” Baker said in a news release. “But just as exciting is that I will be able to feed my other personal passions for geology and natural resources. I am, after all, a passionate advocate for heritage preservation in a very broad, holistic sense.” Baker will serve at Oregon Caves through mid-September. Reach freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected] or 541-880-4139.