Today, the Gettysburg Foundation Board of Directors announces the appointment of David G. Malgee as the organization’s interim President/CEO. Malgee will take over for departing President/CEO, Matthew C. Moen, Ph.D. on Aug. 1, 2020. Moen served as the Foundation’s President/CEO since 2017 and announced on May 18, he is stepping down from his position effective July 31.
David G. Malgee
Malgee, 66, is the retired chief operating officer of VSP Technologies where he served for more than three decades before retiring in 2016. He has served on the Gettysburg Foundation Board of Directors since 2018.
“I am honored to be given the opportunity to contribute to the Gettysburg Foundation’s mission of preservation and education,” said Malgee. “From my first trip here in 1960, I fell in love with Gettysburg, both the battlefield and the community. Before I moved here in 2016, I’d probably visited more than 300 times. Gettysburg has always inspired me—especially the many stories of heroism and sacrifice. Those stories need to be kept alive and passed on to future generations.”
Malgee’s love of history and his deep understanding of its role are evident. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the State University of New York in Oswego and a Master of Arts from the University of Richmond. He is the author of two self-published books and has researched and written texts for a number of Virginia Historical Highway and Civil War Trails markers. He has also been a frequent speaker on Civil War and related topics.
“In his role as interim President, David will keep the mission well in mind and be of sincere support to the Foundation staff as it continues its vital work. His business experience and his warm personality are touchstones of great value in this time of transition,” said Barbara Finfrock, Co-chair of the Gettysburg Foundation Board of Directors. “He has become a member of the community as a whole and an important part of our partnership with the park.”
Malgee will focus on the Board’s immediate objectives while providing time for the Board to manage the process of seeking the next president without a gap in operations. The Board of Directors will soon begin the process of building a profile of skills it seeks in its next president.
“Building a business from the ground up to one with branches in five states has provided me with a diverse skill-set that includes operational, relational and managerial skills,” said Malgee.
While Malgee said he will not be a candidate for the role permanently, he does recognize that selecting the next president may take some time. He says that he appreciates the work of his predecessor, Dr. Moen, and embraces the opportunity to ensure the Foundation’s transition to a new president. He looks forward to the opportunity to work with the Foundation’s partner, the National Park Service and neighbors in the Borough of Gettysburg.
“As everyone now understands, our nation is in the midst of a number of challenging issues. COVID-19 created unexpected and still not fully known circumstances that have impacted the Gettysburg Foundation in several ways. For example, our Visitor Center has been closed since March 17, 2020. It is hard to know what re-opening our facility will look like; however, I am anxious to work with Foundation staff, the National Park Service and new NPS Superintendent Steve Sims, to navigate through these challenging times and circumstances and still fulfill our joint mission. Ultimately, we hope to see a return of visitors to the battlefield, Visitor Center and borough."
Malgee also noted that since its inception, the Gettysburg Foundation has provided more than $140 million to Gettysburg National Military Park and the Eisenhower National Historic Site.
“From our volunteers to our Board members and staff, we are all committed to our mission of preservation and education, as well as our unique partnership with the National Park. Working in concert we are striving to provide a lasting legacy for younger generations to find meaning in the momentous events that took place on this battlefield and to help people understand the challenges that face us today. I am honored to be a part of this effort,” said Malgee.
Malgee has been actively involved in civic affairs for many years. He was named Rotary District 760 “President of the Year” in 1985 and “Young Citizen of the Year” in Colonial Heights, Virginia in 1994. He is currently a member of Gettysburg Foursquare Church.
Malgee believes in working with other historical and civic organizations in Gettysburg and the surrounding area as a way to promote cooperation, sharing of ideas and productive interaction between these various community groups.
“The connections and coordination between the Foundation and among the larger community will enable us to bear our part of the responsibility we all have to give back to Gettysburg so that it will continue to benefit future generations,” reflected Malgee.
Malgee and his wife, Sherri, have one daughter, Shelly, who also resides in the Gettysburg area. Their only son, Geoff, passed away in February 2020. Their daughter-in-law, Erika, and their two grandchildren live in Prince George County, Virginia.