America’s State Parks selects South Carolina Parks Director to serve as President

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of our Park Service Director, Paul McCormack, after nearly 30 years of service with South Carolina State Parks. We are proud to say that he will transition to a new role as President and CEO of America's State Parks!  Read more about Paul's career and his new role, below.

Congratulations, Paul!  You will be missed, but we are proud to have served with you!

The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), the leadership organization behind America’s State Parks, is proud to announce the appointment of Paul McCormack as its new President and CEO. McCormack brings nearly 30 years of experience working in South Carolina State Parks, serving as director since 2018. Before this appointment, he also served as the NASPD Board Chair.

Lewis Ledford, who has served as NASPD President and CEO since 2013, announced his retirement at the organization’s annual conference this fall. Former Board Chair and Director of Oregon State Parks, Lisa Sumption, led the recruitment process for his replacement. With Ledford’s guidance, McCormack will transition into his new role in the coming months. Meanwhile, Rodney Franklin, Director of Texas State Parks and current Vice Chair of NASPD, will step into the position of Board Chair.

Lewis Ledford’s tenure as NASPD’s President and CEO marked a period of remarkable growth and collaboration for America’s state parks. Under his guidance, the organization expanded partnerships, professional development opportunities, and programming, creating a robust network for park directors and staff nationwide. With a career that began as a park ranger in North Carolina in 1976, Ledford rose through the ranks to become the state’s Parks Director, overseeing transformative initiatives such as park expansions and technological advancements. He was honored with North Carolina’s highest service recognition, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and leaves a lasting legacy of service and advocacy for state parks.

Reflecting on his time at NASPD, Ledford stated:

 “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as NASPD’s President and CEO. Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated and visionary leaders in the parks community. Paul’s passion for public service and commitment to improving access to the outdoors make him the ideal choice to lead NASPD into the future. I have every confidence in his ability to advance the mission of America’s State Parks, and I look forward to seeing the incredible work that will be accomplished under his leadership.”

McCormack’s distinguished career began in 1995 as an entry-level ranger at a state park in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. He rose through the ranks, serving in parks around the Palmetto State while raising his three sons – Connor, Jordan, and Tyler – with his wife, Shannon. McCormack has a bachelor’s degree in education from the Citadel and a master’s degree in parks and recreation management from Slippery Rock University. His people-first leadership style put renewed focus on improving park culture for team members and increasing access for visitors. These efforts have included increasing wages, encouraging work-life balance, overseeing new land acquisitions, and launching programs to reach individuals who haven’t traditionally used or had access to public outdoor spaces.

As he steps into his new role, McCormack expressed both gratitude and excitement: 

“The relationships and support provided by the NASPD have been invaluable to me in my career. I’m humbled and honored to be able to help foster and facilitate that growth and collaboration for others in my new role. Serving South Carolina State Parks for 30 years has been the greatest adventure I could ever imagine and I’ve spent my career doing something I love. The people I’ve met, places I’ve been, and special events I’ve had the privilege to be a part of through the South Carolina Park Service have shaped who I am today. I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that will come with my new role, and I’m honored to stand beside Park Rangers from coast to coast as we work together to advance America’s State Parks.”

The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) represents the leadership of state park systems across all 50 states, promoting effective management, conservation of natural and cultural resources, and quality outdoor recreation experiences. As part of America’s State Parks—a nationwide alliance of state park systems—NASPD also collaborates with federal and nonprofit partners, including the National Park Service, Canadian Parks Council, and Girl Scouts of the USA. Together, these entities manage more than 9,800 park areas covering over 20 million acres, welcoming nearly 900 million visitors annually. State parks play a vital role in preserving the nation’s environment, heritage, and health while driving economic growth and providing families and individuals with unparalleled access to the outdoors.

Rodney Franklin, incoming Board Chair, shared his optimism: 

“America’s State Parks owes Lewis Ledford a tremendous amount of gratitude for his years of leadership and advocacy for state parks and park directors across the country. His service and dedication to our mission will leave a legacy felt for years to come. I am excited to have Paul build on the foundation laid by Lewis and continue to grow NASPD through his vision, passion, and collaborative spirit. I am honored to have worked with both Lewis and Paul and look forward to a bright future for NASPD under Paul’s leadership.” 

Duane Parrish, Director of South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, praised McCormack’s legacy in South Carolina, stating:

“In his six years as State Parks Director, and his three decades in the Park Service, Paul leaves a tremendous legacy, with healthy roots that will continue to deepen and strong branches that will continue to grow. From the people he has hired to the policies he has implemented to the vision that he has shared, Paul’s ‘Living the Dream’ mentality has improved our culture and shaped our path forward. He weathered the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, historic growth in the parks system, and most recently, the widespread impacts of Hurricane Helene, among countless others, with compassion, transparency, and strength. We are enormously grateful for his service to our team, to our visitors, and to South Carolina’s most treasured places. He’s leaving South Carolina State Parks better than he found them, and we are thrilled to continue to work and grow by his side through our relationship with the NASPD.” 

As NASPD moves into this new era, the organization and its partners eagerly anticipate the advancements and achievements that will follow under McCormack’s leadership.

Learn more about America's State Parks at stateparks.org.