Barstow News: Mojave National Preserve Appoints New Superintendent Ahead of October 18 Start

BARSTOW NEWS | LOCAL REPORTING · 2026

The National Park Service announced September 30, 2026, that Kevin Schluckebier would become superintendent of Mojave National Preserve, with his new role scheduled to begin October 18. The change concerns more than a distant park: the preserve’s headquarters and visitor information office operate in Barstow.

A new leader with construction experience

NPS says Schluckebier has worked in operations, facility management and design and construction across the park system. His experience includes superintendent and deputy superintendent responsibilities as well as regional oversight of construction projects. The agency’s announcement describes his start as October 18, so this story does not imply he had already taken over on October 14.

Why Barstow residents may care

The preserve maintains an administrative headquarters and public information desk at 2701 Barstow Road. Staff, partner organizations, contractors and travelers use the city as a service point. A major visitor destination with deteriorating roads and access questions can influence trip planning and regional activity even when some facilities are many miles from town.

Unfinished maintenance questions

The preserve’s condition report warns that roads may have poor pavement, potholes and shoulder drop-offs. The Kelso Depot’s interior has been closed during renovation. The appointment is not an announcement that road resurfacing or reopening has already been funded or completed; those outcomes require separate agency documentation.

What to watch after the transition

Potential local developments include road project schedules, maintenance contracts, partnerships with communities along Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 and changes to visitor services. Barstow News will follow signed decisions and public records, not assume a leadership change automatically solves the preserve’s infrastructure backlog.

Official sources

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