SOUTH CAROLINA PARKS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Park Manager
- Manager at Hamilton Branch State Park
Hello. I am Aaron Chavous, Manager at Hamilton Branch State Park. I'm often asked why I wanted to be a park ranger. During my on-the-job experiences at the first park I worked at, Edisto Beach State Park, I was able to see the variety of job responsibilities and experiences that park rangers get to participate in. Being able to live and work in an outdoor setting at many of South Carolina's most beautiful places also drew me to the profession.
My name is Bart Joy, and I am the Park Manager at Kings Mountain State Park. I made the decision to pursue a career as a park ranger when I was attending college at Clemson University. I went hiking to waterfalls in Oconee and Pickens counties with friends-- and I was hooked. I changed my major to focus on parks management, and my passion for the outdoors grew from there.
A place I love at Kings Mountain is the spillway. It is a beautiful example of CCC dam construction, but is also a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic or a snack. It's near the trailhead, greeting you at the beginning of your hike and also welcoming you back from your adventure.
Welcome! My name is Brad Lane and I am the park manager at Calhoun Falls State Park. The summer before my senior year at Clemson University, I took a summer job at Little Pee Dee State Park. It was there that I found my love of state parks, and knew I wanted to be a park ranger. The outdoors, the people, the lake, the wildlife and the smell of a campfire are some of my favorite things about parks. I was able to get a full-time position with the park service in 2006 and ever since I have been "living the dream."
Job Titles:
- Park Manager
- Manager of Huntington Beach State Park
I am Brenda Magers, manager of Huntington Beach State Park. Shortly after I graduated from college, the economy was in shambles and most government agencies were embroiled in shutdowns. At the time, South Carolina was the only state hiring park rangers and I was fortunate enough to land a job at Paris Mountain State Park. Even though Paris Mountain was in the Upstate, I was so happy to be in a "coastal" state I would travel as often as possible for day trips to the beach-where I am now lucky enough to live.
For me, the magic of Huntington Beach is in the saltmarsh. I love the long-range views, the seasonal changes and of course, the birds! There is nothing more beautiful than the movement of a flock of birds or the upsweep of kettling wood storks!
Welcome. My name is Bryn Harmer, and I am the park manager at Oconee State Park. I first realized I wanted to be a park ranger when I was about 7 or 8 hiking in a state park with my dad. I said, I wish I could do this all the time, and he jokingly said, maybe you should grow up to be a park ranger. From then on, I had a single-minded goal of being a park ranger. My interests have continued to focus on the outdoors and conservation, so that track never wavered for me. It was a career I was born to do.
I love the swimming lake and the Lake Trail that circles the lake at Oconee. The lake is very peaceful with a variety of wildlife to view. While walking the Lake Trail, you can see beavers, ducks, fish, turtles, frogs and more, while also viewing several of the historic cabins. I really enjoy walking the trail with my dog and enjoying the scenery.
I am Dan Hancock, and I am the manager at Woods Bay State Park. I have always enjoyed being in nature and the outdoors, so being in a park setting has always felt natural to me. My journey started in 1989 when I worked at Lee State Park as a lifeguard, but I did not return to the park service until I became a park technician at Lake Wateree State Park in 2015. This is when I discovered I wanted to be a park ranger. No matter which park I have worked at, I have always felt at home. I feel fortunate to be the manager of both Woods Bay and Lee state parks.
The feature I like most at Woods Bay is the hiking trail that goes around old mill pond. It has a lot of nice trees and vegetation to view during the walk along the dam. The trail provides a lot of natural sounds and peacefulness. Being on this trail allows me to really have clear thoughts and just enjoy being in nature.
My name is Kyle Bullock, Park Manager at Edisto Beach State Park. My first job in the park service was at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. It was there when I realized that I wanted to be a park ranger. Working outside, helping guests and realizing the impact I could have on their experience really resonated with me. In all honesty, it helped me grow as a person.
Hi! My name is Michael Trotter and I am the park manager at Table Rock. I became interested in becoming a park ranger during a career talk by a park ranger. The talk planted a seed that germinated while I was working on a landfill site as a geologist. At that moment, I realized I would rather pursue a career that dealt directly with preserving natural resources and helping people enjoy the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Park Manager
- Manager of Cheraw State Park
Hello there! I'm Robert Mahoney, manager of Cheraw State Park. Growing up in Sumter, SC, I always had a love for the outdoors. That love continued into hiking and nature photography hobbies. I went to school at Clemson University to major in parks management and wildlife and aquatics. I wanted to be a park ranger or a game warden. I am glad that I chose the park service.
Job Titles:
- Park Manager
- Manager of Myrtle Beach State Park
I'm Troy Crider, manager of Myrtle Beach State Park. I grew up in the South Carolina State Park Service as the son of a long-time park employee, and I have worked for the park service in one way or another throughout most of my life. When I graduated high school, I applied for a seasonal job at Myrtle Beach State Park. I was offered a job for the summer working in a variety of roles with then park manager, Robert Turner. Mr. Turner nurtured my passion for parks, which helped me decide on a career as a park ranger. After that summer, I quickly transferred to Coastal Carolina University where I earned a degree in Recreation and Leisure Service Management.