Flight 93 Memorial Will Seek New Leadership

The supervisor of the Flight 93 Memorial, Joanne Hanley is stepping down after 32 years as superintendent of the National Parks Service in Western Pennsylvania.

Hanley devoted nearly 10 years of service to the memorial that honors the 40 men and women who died after their hijacked plane crashed in a field in Somerset County. Her retirement, effective February 1st, will allow another superintendent to see the project through its construction phases, the first of which is expected to be finished this summer for the 10th anniversary of September 11th.

“When we get to the finish line, it really doesn’t matter who carries it over as long as it gets over,” Hanley says. “As a team we have gotten it so far, and so no matter who gets it over the finish line, it will still be the team getting it over the finish line.”

Hanley is stepping down so that she can become president of the Gettysburg Foundation where she will work to raise funds for the Gettysburg National Military Park.

“I feel in my present position that I am serving my country in public service and I feel in this coming position I will be serving my country in public service as well,” Hanley says.

Hanley has also overseen the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, the Friendship Hill National Historical Site, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site during her time with the National Parks Service in Western Pennsylvania.

Deputy Supervisor Keith Newlin will act as interim supervisor until a replacement is found.