James Gemmell was named Deputy Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery on May 22, 2011.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Superintendent, he served as director of Fort Snelling National Cemetery since April 25, 2010. As director of the third largest and fourth busiest cemetery in NCA, he was responsible for all administrative, burial, and maintenance operations at the cemetery.
Prior to his appointment as Director, Fort Snelling National Cemetery, he served as Director of the NCA National Training Center in St. Louis, Missouri from April 2008 to April 2010. Mr. Gemmell was an integral part of NCA’s Cemetery Director Trainee Program. In addition, Mr. Gemmell served on the faculty staff since the Training Center was established in 2004. He was instrumental in the development of training programs for NCA’s supervisors, work leaders and caretakers. He has also helped develop organization policies and procedures for the National Cemetery Administration.
Mr. Gemmell began his career at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in 1987 as a master mason. He joined the National Cemetery Administration in 1989. He has served in a variety of positions to include caretaker, caretaker and maintenance work leader, and facilities maintenance foreman.
Mr. Gemmell attended the University of Minnesota and St. Paul Technical College where he graduated and received his Master Masonry Certificate.