Current Position: Resort Park Manager
How long have you been with Kentucky State Parks and in what capacity?
I have been employed with the Kentucky Department of Parks as a Resort Park Manager at Barren River Lake State Resort Park for nearly three years.
How did you become interested in working as a Park Manager?
I was exposed to the hospitality industry from a young age and later pursued a Restaurant, Hotel, Institution and Travel Management degree from Purdue University. Growing up in Kentucky, we were exposed to Kentucky State Parks through school trips and vacations and I developed an appreciation of Kentucky State Parks. Having the opportunity to work within my field, coupled with a position with the Nation’s Finest Park system, was a natural fit.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Barren River Lake State Resort Park has 73 accommodations, full-service restaurant, event space, 18-hole golf course, recreation division, 99-site campground and many other amenities. My primary responsibilities are to protect the natural resources entrusted to the state and to ensure each and every visitor’s expectations are exceeded.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
I typically work less than 50 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Certainly the setting of any of our state parks is a welcome place to come to every day, where we’re surrounded by nature, wildlife, and immense history. Beyond that, we’re in the business of creating lifelong memories. Families return to our parks each year, often third, fourth, and even fifth generations. The stories they share are priceless.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Challenges are present in any position. Kentucky State Park managers face many of the same challenges as our industry including attracting and retaining personnel along with capital investment.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A college degree is a prerequisite. More importantly though it helps to have an exposure to hotels, restaurants, and an ability to lead and direct a cohesive team.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
You always feel like you could or should know more. A thorough understanding of operating a business within state government was a learning experience.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Managing a resort park with multiple facilities exposes one to varied projects. Guest room renovations, developing restaurant concepts and improving recreational facilities are ongoing projects. Developing partnerships with local businesses, government entities and friends groups allow the park to seek out additional funding sources for specialized projects within the park.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
Get involved in your local park. Volunteer in your community. Seek out positions of leadership that test your skills in human resources, fiscal management, and sales.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
Positions within Kentucky State Parks are varied: golf professionals, retail personnel, park rangers, chef’s, historians and recreation specialists. The opportunities that exist are endless; find the fit that works best for your interests and experience.
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