New superintendent to take command at fort Nov. 12

Since John Daugherty retired as superintendent of the Fort Scott National Historic Site this spring, the site has had four different interim superintendents. Starting Nov. 12, however, that position will be filled on a full-time basis.

Betty Boyko, who has served as assistant superintendent at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Omaha, Neb., since 2001, was recently named the new superintendent at FSNHS. She will report to her new position on Nov. 12, but Boyko said she will not be in Fort Scott full time until Nov. 19.

"I am very pleased and excited about the opportunity to work together with the staff at the Fort Scott National Historic Site to manage this unique historical site," Boyko said. "I look forward to meeting the people in the community of Fort Scott and becoming an active member of the community."

Boyko said her duties as superintendent will involve overall management of the fort, "from maintenance to working with the community."

Boyko, who was born in raised in Hazen, N.D., has more than 20 years of experience in the National Park Service. Her career began in 1984 as an administrative clerk at Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site near Stanton, N.D.

She has also served as the deputy superintendent at Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice, Neb., and also worked in administrative detail to Saint Croix National Scenic River in Wisconsin.

Boyko was very active in her role at the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail. She took a lead role in organizing and managing the recently completed "Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future," which recreated the original expedition during the Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial. The project took around three years to complete.

Boyko, who attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, N.D., is also a 2005 graduate of Gap University for Breakthrough Performance. The Executive Leadership Program, conducted in Chicago, Ill., gave Boyko a chance to work with executives from various organizations and government agencies.

"It was a fantastic experience and provided me with the opportunity to work with some dynamic individuals including the gentleman who developed the Nicoderm Patch,," Boyko said.

Ernest Quintana, regional director of NPS' 13-state Midwest region, said Boyko's experience will be an important asset in her new position in Fort Scott.

"We're excited about the skills and talents Boyko will bring to Fort Scott National Historic Site," Quintana said. "She has been a dynamic asset to the Midwest region for most of her career."

Boyko said she applied for the superintendent position in Fort Scott based on her memories of a visit to the fort years ago.

"Several years ago, I made a special trip to Fort Scott so I could see the fort," Boyko said. "I remember thinking to myself that it would be a neat place to work."

When she heard about the superintendent position opening up, she threw her name in the hat, as they say.

"I then just let the process take place," Boyko said. "I really didn't monitor it very closely."

Boyko said she is in the process of searching for a place to live in Fort Scott.

"I'm trying really hard," Boyko said. "I've been working with a realtor and I'm anxious to become a part of the excellent community in Fort Scott."

Boyko has two sons and currently resides in Woodbine, Iowa.