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Chad Davis began working as a seasonal employee for Alabama State Parks as a 19-year-old college student at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville.
More than 20 years later, Davis is the new deputy director for Alabama State Parks, making him the No. 2 executive for the State Parks System.
“I am extremely humbled to be selected as the deputy director of Alabama State Parks,” Davis said. “I’ve spent my entire professional career with the park system, and I look forward to helping all 21 parks continue to offer first-class experiences for every guest. We have fantastic state parks in Alabama, and I am committed to making them better than ever.”
Davis spent the last nine years as the district superintendent for the Northwest Region of Alabama State Parks, overseeing operations at Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, Rickwood Caverns, Cathedral Caverns and Lake Lurleen state parks.
His career also included time spent as an assistant superintendent at Joe Wheeler and DeSoto State Parks. He began his full-time State Parks career as a ranger at Lake Guntersville State Park after earning his bachelor’s degree from Athens State University.
“We are committed to creating excellence at every state park and enhancing guest experiences, and Chad is the perfect person to help achieve those goals,” said Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “After leading five of our state parks for nearly a decade, Chad possesses a wealth of knowledge about park management, law enforcement, marketing, hospitality and strategic operations. We are fortunate to have him in this key leadership role.”
In 2013, Davis was the first Alabama graduate from the State Park Leadership School, a program coordinated by the National Association of State Parks Directors. In addition, Davis has 15 years of law enforcement experience and graduated from the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in 2006. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Alabama State Parks Foundation and the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association.
Davis graduated from Lexington High School, located about 15 miles from Joe Wheeler State Park. Davis and his wife, Jessica, an elementary school teacher, live in Lexington with their two daughters.
“Chad has proven himself to be a true leader in our State Parks System, and I’m pleased that he has agreed to become our new Deputy Director,” Capps said.
About the Alabama State Parks Division: The Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at www.alapark.com.
