Cahoon made assistant archivist for policy, IRM

The National Archives and Records Administration has named L. Reynolds Cahoon the new assistant archivist for policy and information resources management, replacing Ralph Bledsoe, who retired late last year.

Cahoon most recently served for six years as managing director of the family history department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. The church is famous for its extensive archive of genealogical records.

In his 16 years with the church, Cahoon was responsible for planning and developing the family history department's computer systems. David Bearman, editor of Archives and Museum Informatics, said Cahoon is "a good choice" for the NARA post, bringing "an outsider's perspective and a real knowledge of the kinds of larger management issues that are involved" with managing electronic records. Cahoon said the NARA job offers "a wonderful opportunity to provide some significant leadership in establishing architectures and standards" for electronic record keeping in the government. Among the challenges NARA must confront is ensuring that digital records remain readable as technology changes, he said.