Meeting & Convention Service Coordinator Jennifer Wilkie

Park Service Profiles

Jennifer Wilkie was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Mass Communications. After working for close to 20 years in special events and marketing, she accepted a job as the Meeting and Convention Service Coordinator at Hickory Knob State Resort Park. In her current position, Wilkie works to make sure incoming groups enjoy their time at the park. She works with park staff and groups of visitors before and during their stay to make sure everyone is on the same page and visitors have everything they need for their event.

As a resort park, Hickory Knob offers many facilities and activities other parks do not. Because of this, Wilkie has a whole lot to coordinate for incoming groups and she is the only Meeting and Convention Service Coordinator in the park service! In her four years at Hickory Knob, Wilkie has learned to read and anticipate the needs of the groups that visit the park in hopes of making their stay as smooth as possible. We asked Wilkie what she finds most satisfying about her job and she said, “Watching our guests come and have a great time.” While reflecting on her job at Hickory Knob, Wilkie mentioned one occurrence that never fails to make her laugh. She said, “My office has a glass front and it never gets old when I look up and there’s someone’s three-year-old plastered to my door.”

Toddler fingerprints aside, Wilkie has a great appreciation for her time with the park service thus far. She would encourage anyone interested to pursue a career as a park ranger. “A career in the park service sets you up for success in life.  The skillsets you have the opportunity to learn are priceless.” Thank you, Jennifer, for all you do!