CORTEZ, Colo. – The Board of Trustees of the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez, Colo., recently announced the selection of Dr. Deborah J. Gangloff as the center’s new president and CEO. She assumed her duties Feb. 1, succeeding Ricky Lightfoot, who is retiring from the position after more than 11 years.

Gangloff, who holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Rutgers University, comes to Crow Canyon with 30 years experience in nonprofit management, nearly all of it with the 135-year-old American Forests, the nation’s oldest citizens’ conservation organization. She served as director of communications at the Washington, D.C.-based organization until 1990, at which time she was appointed vice president for program services. She was named executive director at American Forests in 1996.

In 1991, Gangloff received the Natural Resources Council of America Award of Achievement, and, in 1992, she was presented the President’s Award at American Forests.

Gangloff also has extensive cultural resource management experience from participation on archaeological projects throughout the United States. In addition, she served as a researcher at the National Academy of Sciences in the early 1980s.

“The Board of Trustees feels very fortunate to find someone with Deborah’s record of success and commitment to lead Crow Canyon at this time,” said Board Chair Ron Larimore. “She brings to Crow Canyon not only an understanding of archaeology, but a keen sense of the role of not-for-profit organizations in improving society.”

Lightfoot was re-elected to Crow Canyon’s Board of Trustees and will stay involved with the center by serving as a scholar on selected travel programs and working with various special projects.