ATLANTA -National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf Acting Regional Director Lance Hatten today announced the selection of Aaron LaRocca as the new superintendent of Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, North Carolina. LaRocca begins his new assignment on May 22.
“Aaron is a passionate and inclusive leader with experience improving park operations, enhancing communications and nurturing collaborative partnerships," said Hatten. “He excels at stakeholder engagement and park program development, which makes him a strong fit to lead the park’s effort to honor the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding."
“It's a great honor to be selected as superintendent of Guilford Courthouse National Military Park," said LaRocca. “I look forward to engaging the workforce and collaborating with stakeholders, partners and visitors to generate new and strengthen existing relationships with park stewards."
LaRocca is a 16-year veteran of the NPS. Since January 2015, he has served as chief of staff at George Washington Memorial Parkway where he is responsible for external relations, including Congressional affairs and partnerships with non-profit park partners, while also serving as the park’s public information officer. During his tenure at George Washington Memorial Parkway, LaRocca also completed assignments as acting superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and Hampton National Historic Site, as well as acting chief of partnerships, youth engagement and volunteers for the NPS National Capital Area.
LaRocca previously spent four years as site manager for Glen Echo Park and Clara Barton National Historic Site and served as supervisory park ranger for the North District of the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
A native of Arlington, Virginia, LaRocca began his NPS career in 2006 as a student working at Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial while earning his bachelor’s degree in American history from George Mason University in Fairfax.LaRocca, his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Hazel, look forward to moving to Greensboro. They plan to continue their active lifestyles by playing basketball, drums and enjoying any other fun outdoor activities that come their way. The LaRoccas are even considering adding a dog to the family!
About Guilford Courthouse National Military Park : Established on March 2, 1917, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park was the first Revolutionary War battlefield protected by the federal government. The Battle of Guilford Courthouse, fought on March 15, 1781, was one of the most intense engagements of the American Revolution. The battle was costly to the British and was one of the final links in a chain of events that led to ultimate American victory in the Revolutionary War. Visitors to the 250-acre park may explore the 2 ¼-mile, self-guided automobile tour, hike nearly 4 miles of foot trails, view more than 170,000 artifacts at the park’s visitor center and participate in interpretive programs, which help tell the story of a victory within a defeat during the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
