STATE PARKS CHIEF NAMED “PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR”

COLUMBUS, OH - Leadership of the state park system through difficult economic times, as well as a personal dedication to the system’s employees, has earned Ohio State Parks Chief Daniel L. West the “Professional Of The Year” award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA).

The OPRA has served as an umbrella organization for public parks and recreation organizations and professionals across Ohio since 1963. More than 1,600 people from county, township, city and private park systems throughout the state make up the membership.

‘The test of true leadership is the ability to provide steady direction in a changing world,” said ODNR Director Sean D. Logan. “Dan’s ability to organize and motivate our state-wide parks staff, without ever losing focus on what is most important, makes him a great chief and highly deserving of this recognition.”

West has served as the state park system’s top-ranking official since 1997. He started his career with Ohio State Parks 28 years ago and has risen through the ranks, serving as park manager at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware County for seven years, before being promoted to assistant chief and then chief.

In his current position, West oversees 74 parks that host 50 million visitor occasions each year. These parks involve the management of 174,000 acres of publicly owned parkland, as well as the operation and maintenance of nine resort lodges, six public golf courses, more than 500 vacation cottages and 56 public campgrounds.

West is a Springfield native who currently resides in Powell. He is married and the father of a son.

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For Additional Information, Contact:
Jean Backs, Ohio State Parks
(614) 265-7077
-or-
Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860