Despite being criticized by professional archivist organizations for selecting a man with a building background to head State Archives, Gov. Mike Leavitt continues to stand by his decision.
In a letter to Leavitt this spring, the president of the Conference of Inter-Mountain Archivists urged Leavitt to reconsider the appointment of Bob Woodhead last summer as executive director over archives.
"This hiring establishes an unacceptable precedent that degrades the position of State Archivist; in addition it has sparked national criticism and tarnished the reputation of the Utah State Archives," Stephen Sturgeon wrote.
Woodhead, former deputy director at the state Division of Facilities and Construction Management with extensive experience in building and construction management, was deputy archives director for just a few months when he was named to the position.
Spokeswoman Natalie Gochnour said the letter was "duly" noted but stressed the decision was the right one given the circumstances.
"We are already on track for this position to be changed in the near future."
Dave Fletcher, deputy director of the Department of Administrative Services, said Woodward is planning to retire within a year or less.
"We are evaluating a number of things related to that and where we go with archives, what kind of person we want in there."
Agency officials and Leavitt have said it was important, for the time being, to have someone like Woodhead at the helm as the division embarks on getting an $8 million building project under way.
"He was selected for that expertise to see archives through this exciting time," Administrative Services director Camille Anthony said.