News Release »
| Beverly Eaves Perdue, Governor | Dee Freeman, Secretary |
| N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources |  |
| Release: Immediate | Contact: Charlie Peek | |
| Date: 2009-11-04 | Phone: (919) 715-8709 |
Newman is new Superintendent at Fort Macon State Park
EDITORS: (View / download Photo of Randy Newman)
RALEIGH -- Randy Newman, a veteran ranger at Fort Macon State Park in Carteret County, has been promoted to superintendent of the park, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Newman succeeds Jody Merritt, who retired in August after 35 years with the division, including 28 years as Fort Macon superintendent.
A superintendent is the chief of operations and administration at a state park or state recreation area with wide-ranging responsibilities for staffing, training, law enforcement, visitor services, natural resource protection and environmental education.
A native of Beaufort County, Newman graduated from East Carolina University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration. He worked as a seasonal employee at Fort Macon and at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge before joining the division in 1988 as a ranger at Raven Rock State Park. He moved to Fort Macon State Park in 1990.
Newman holds certifications in environmental education and advanced law enforcement and has been named North Carolina Science Educator of the Year.
“Fort Macon is one of our busiest parks with a long history, and Randy’s contributions there have extended not only to visitor service and education, but also to the park’s precious natural resources. His broad experience will be an excellent complement to Fort Macon’s new coastal education and visitor center,” said Lewis Ledford, state parks director.
Established in 1924, Fort Macon State Park is North Carolina’s second oldest and the first to conduct regular operations as a state park. It recorded visitation of 1.1 million people in 2008.
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