Leadership Team
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is a diverse, dynamic department serving our state by:
- Safeguarding the health and safety of Tennessee citizens from environmental hazards;
- Protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee's land, air, and water;
- Managing the Tennessee State Parks system.
Within TDEC, the Bureau of Parks and Conservation is responsible for managing 57 state parks and 84 state natural areas encompassing approximately 200,000 acres across Tennessee - ranging from rustic natural and historic sites to resort parks with lodges, restaurants, marinas, and golf courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail. There are more than 200 trails that offer over 1,200 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities on public lands. We are also responsible for conserving, protecting, and promoting the historical, natural, and archaeological heritage of Tennessee. We are pleased to support and provide assistance to local governments for local parks and recreation programs, too.
We are known for our distinctive natural settings, outstanding outdoor recreation, and quality interpretation, but there is also a strong organization and dedicated group of professionals behind Tennessee State Parks. The Bureau of Parks and Conservation is led by a Deputy Commissioner and eight directors that are professionals in parks, recreation, natural resource conservation, or management. Our leadership team is driven by a goal to optimize the natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational assets of our state and park system for the benefit of our citizens, residents, and guests. This includes creating an organizational structure and culture that emphasizes professionalism, customer service, efficiency, and excellence in the way we enable people to experience and enjoy the good nature of Tennessee.
State Park Operations
The State Parks Operation Division oversees the operation of 56 state park units, including 6 Resort Inns, 8 Restaurants, 9 Golf Courses, 4 Marinas, 20 Cabin arrays, and 35 Campgrounds. The Chief Ranger and the Radio Communications Shop are also a part of this division.
Mike Robertson
mike.robertson@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, DIRECTOR
Mike Robertson was named Director of State Park Operations in 2012. Mike has worked his entire professional career in Tennessee State Parks, including Reelfoot Lake, Meeman Shelby, Big Hill Pond, Bledsoe Creek, David Crockett and Tims Ford State Parks. He served as a Park Attendant, Seasonal Interpretive Recreator, Park Ranger, Park Manager and Parks Area Manager, before becoming the Director of Park Operations. Mike earned his B.S. degree in Natural Resource Management, Parks and Recreation, from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Zach Tinkle
zach.tinkle@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 1 MANAGER
Zach Tinkle was named Area Manager for State Park Operations in 2022. He has worked in the department for more than 18 years, serving as a maintenance worker, seasonal park ranger, and manager. Zach started his career as a maintenance worker at Johnsonville State Historic Park. He then took a seasonal position at Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Zach's first job as a full-time ranger was at Chickasaw State Park. Zach transferred to Cedars of Lebanon State Park in 2015 and then transitioned to becoming a manager at Paris Landing State Park in 2018. He managed Paris Landing during a time of change and growth, overseeing the construction of the park's lodge, which opened in 2022. Zach graduated from Murray State University in 2005 with a degree in history.
Ryan Forbess
ryan.forbess@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 2 MANAGER
Ryan Forbess was named Area Manager for State Park Operations in 2015. He has worked in the department for more than 18 years serving as a park ranger and manager. Ryan started his career as a park ranger at T.O Fuller Sate Park and has also served as a ranger at Montgomery Bell State Park. Ryan transitioned to the Resource Management division serving as a Regional Planner and then as the statewide Special Events coordinator for Tennessee State Parks. He is known for his dedication, professionalism, focus and time management skills. Ryan is a graduate of the National Association of State Park Directors' Leadership School and earned his B.S in Natural Resource Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Jacob Young
Jacob.Young@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 3 MANAGER
Jacob holds a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries from Tennessee Tech University and is a graduate of the NASPD State Parks Leadership School. He has an extensive background in state parks, having worked as a Park Ranger and Park Manager at Roan Mountain State Park, Edgar Evins State Park, and Fall Creek Falls. Jacob has overseen every type of operation that we offer within our state parks, from overnight facilities such as campgrounds, cabins, lodges, group camps, and group lodges to day-use operations such as shelters, meeting spaces, boat rentals, and leased concessions. He has also overseen large resource management projects, historic preservation efforts, and outreach through interpretation and educational programs.
Kenny Gragg
kenneth.gragg@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 4 MANAGER
Kenny Gragg was named Area Manager for State Park Operations in 2018. He has more than 10 years of experience with Tennessee State Parks both as a park ranger and a park manager. Kenny started his career as a SIR at Burgess Falls State Park in 2007. He was hired as a park ranger at Tims Ford State Park in 2008 and remained there until being promoted to park manager in 2013. Most recently, Kenny has been serving as park manager at Edgar Evins State Park, a position he accepted in 2017. Kenny has excelled in customer service and managing park operations throughout his career. He is a graduate of the National Association of State Park Directors' Leadership School, Green Leadership, Park Manager Technical Institute, and holds a B.S. from Tennessee Technological University in wildlife and fisheries science.
Kim Moore
kim.a.moore@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 5 MANAGER
Kim Moore was named Area Manager in 2018. He has more than 30 years with the department, serving several seasons as a lifeguard at Montgomery Bell State Park, Seasonal Ranger at Warriors Path and Norris Dam. His past 29 years were spent at Cove Lake State Park where he served as a ranger then promoting to park manager in 2001. His years of park service have yielded positive results focused on customer service, managing park improvements and creating and maintaining community relationships. In 1994 Kim received the Tennessee State Parks Ranger of The Year Award “for outstanding service above and beyond the call of duty.” Kim earned his B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Veronica Greear
Veronica.Greear@tn.gov
STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AREA 6 MANAGER
Veronica Greear was named Area Manager for State Park Operations in 2023. Veronica holds a BS in Arts and Sciences from Tennessee Tech University. She has a diverse background working for the National Park Service and Tennessee State Parks working as a Park Ranger at Panther Creek, a Regional Interpretive Specialist, and a Park Manager at Norris Dam State Park. Veronica has fostered both private and public partnerships throughout her career that have connected diverse audiences to their parks, and she brings a personal passion for diversity, equity, and accessibility.
Interpretive Programming and Education
Interpretive Programming and Education is responsible for supporting individual state parks in creating outdoor recreation opportunities and experiences through important programs such as the Junior Ranger program and placement of more than 60 summer seasonal staff that plan and implement recreation and interpretive programs and events.
Administrative Services
Administrative Services provides professional, high quality and efficient support services at individual and regional park locations in order to meet the dynamic needs of the state park system and the department’s conservation and natural resource sites.
Land and Facilities Management
Land and Facilities Management include the major maintenance budget for state park buildings and administer 3 regional offices. This section receives annual appropriations for major maintenance and a non-recurring annual appropriation for capitol maintenance and outlay. Within this division, the land program is responsible for the acquisition of priority conservation lands and for dealing with boundary issues and easements and GIS system.
Marketing and Product Development
Marketing and Product Development oversee the branding and marketing effort for Tennessee State Parks, while leveraging the uniqueness of each individual state park property. They also develop of our gift shop assortments, promote group sales, and develop events and tours along with marketing plans to support them. Their goal is to promote and offer our guests authentic adventures, exceptional outdoor encounters, and create memorable experiences for everyone who visits Tennessee State Parks.
Golf Operations
The Tennessee Golf Trail features nine courses at Tennessee State Parks: six Traditional courses and three Jack Nicklaus designed Bear Trace signature courses.
Paul L. Carter
AGRONOMY, DIRECTOR
Paul L. Carter, Certified Golf Course Superintendent for the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay State Park, was named Director of Agronomy for Tennessee State Parks in 2012. In this role Paul provides statewide guidance to all parks' greenskeepers and superintendents. Paul is a nationally recognized leader in sustainable course management practices and facilitating implementation of progressive turf practices at all state park locations. Harrison Bay cuts less grass, uses less water and less fertilizer, reduces emissions, spends less time on equipment, is wildlife-friendly and saves money in the process. Most recently, Paul was elected to the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Board of Directors at the association's annual meeting in February, 2019. Paul was awarded GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship in 2015. In 2013, he received the Environmental Leaders in Golf Award, which included the Public and the Overall Award from the GCSAA and Golf Digest. In 2013, Bear Trace at Harrison Bay took home the Green Star Award for Outstanding Environmental Practices from Golf Digest. In 2011, Paul was selected TurfNet Superintendent of the Year, first ever from Tennessee.
Natural Areas
Working under the authority of the Rare Plant Protection and Conservation Act and the Natural Areas Act, the Division of Natural Areas tracks rare species and natural communities throughout Tennessee, oversees management of designated state natural areas, and evaluates lands for inclusion into the system of state natural areas and parks. The division is the lead agency for rare plant recovery in Tennessee.
Roger McCoy
roger.mccoy@tn.gov
DIVISION OF NATURAL AREAS, DIRECTOR
Roger McCoy has an M.S. in botany and worked with the Division of Natural Areas since 1998. With the other staff members from the division, Roger conducts rare species searches and monitoring and oversees rare species management on state natural areas. Some notable projects on which he has worked include community classification and rare species searches on a variety of lands including private lands, national parks, national and state forests, and Department of Defense lands. Roger has been the lead researcher on a variety of projects to assess the status of federally listed and candidate plant species.
Archaeology
The department’s archaeologists are responsible for the identification, survey, protection and excavation of important archaeological sites in Tennessee.
Recreation Resources Division
Recreation Resources Division administers and oversees federal and state recreational grants to local governments, parks, and communities across Tennessee. RES also assists communities with technical issues through our Parks and Recreation Technical Assistance Services (PARTAS) section and features a Greenways and Trails section providing assistance for the development of greenways and trails in Tennessee.