WHAT PROMPTED THE JUMP TO DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS STATE PARKS?
I had no interest in leaving NPS. Texas Parks and Wildlife had contacted me in 1996 about coming back to Texas and taking the director position. I told them “No” and thought no more about it. In 1999, I was again contacted and the compelling rationale they made was to bring 32 years of park experience back to my home state to help the state park system. So, here I am and it has been a real challenge and opportunity to do some important things. TEXAS RANKS 49TH OUT OF 50 IN STATE PARK EXPENDITURES. TEXANS ARE REPUTED TO STRONGLY FAVOR PRIVATE PROPERTY. DID YOU FEEL YOU COULD CHANGE THAT ATTITUDE? We are making significant progress in improving state park funding. The 80th Texas legislature provided major increased funding to restore over 200 positions, adequate operating dollars to pay the bills and purchase needed supplies and material, significant funding to begin replacing worn out equipment and a large increase in minor repair funding to do routine repair projects. The voters just a
