🌙 Moon Over South Carolina: The Journey of John Moon

By John Moon, Regional Chief, Sandhills Region

Hey y’all—I’m John Moon, though most folks just call me Moon. I currently serve as Regional Chief of the Sandhills Region. I drive a truck with way too many miles, drink from a coffee mug that’s been to more meetings than my inbox, and I’ve got a passion for parks that’s aged like fine bourbon.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 The Moon Family Orbit

I’m 47 years young, married to the one and only Shannon Anice Moon. Together, we’ve raised three incredible daughters: Taylor (26), Kaitlyn (22), and Brianna (20). I’m also officially on grandpa watch—Taylor is due in October, and Kaitlyn in January. That’s right, soon to be Pap-Paw Moon.

We also have two loyal dogs who are very much part of the family: Stella, a chocolate lab, and Sammie, a beagle.

📅 27 Years, 9 Parks

I’ve been with SC State Parks for nearly three decades. My journey with South Carolina State Parks started back in 1998 at Poinsett State Park, when I was bright-eyed, slightly sunburned, and have since orbited nine parks:

State Park	Position	Years
Poinsett	Assistant Naturalist / Ranger I	1998–2002
Barnwell	Ranger II	2002–2004
Santee	Senior Ranger	2004–2006
Lake Warren	Park Manager	2006–2007
Croft	Park Manager	2007–2018
Kings Mountain	Park Manager	2018–2023
Black River	Park Manager	2023–2025
Sandhills Region	Regional Chief	2025–Present

What prepared me? Leadership, people skills, and a wild belief that optimism gets you farther than cynicism ever will. I’ve led with humility and learned through sweat. Not every lesson came with a manual, but every park came with a purpose.

🏕️ From Trail to Tenure

I grew up bouncing from Lake Wateree to Goodale to Sesqui, camping and laughing with my dad. We hiked the Appalachian Trail through North Carolina, and somewhere in those mountain miles, the outdoors carved its name into my heart. That was the spark.

This job lets me blend my love for people, nature, and fixing things—all while wearing boots.

💬 Why Chief Moon?

Why did I choose to be Regional Chief? I like leading people and solving problems with a dash of humor and a whole lot of heart. I’m surrounded by brilliant park managers and get a front-row seat to their success. There’s nothing like it.

💡 How I Got Here (Spoiler: It Wasn’t Glamorous)

I got here by grinding. By doing more with less. By saying “yes” when no one was watching, and pouring myself into communities that deserve nothing but the BEST. That’s not just a motto—it’s the standard.

⚠️ Challenges That Keep Me Up (and Dr Pepper That Keeps Me Going)

• Stretching small budgets like a rubber band at a family reunion

• Motivating staff in a world where a paycheck sometimes speaks louder than purpose.

• Improving retention—because good people deserve better

But here's the kicker: this job is still worth every ounce of effort.

🎉 What Fires Me Up?

The Clemson Tigers... no doubt!! As well as life itself. Breathing it in. Living it out. I’m thrilled to work alongside our new Park Director, Joy Raintree, and keep shaping this service into something unforgettable.

🌱 Projects That Matter

• Goodale State Park’s Clean Slate Kickoff with Park Manager John Wells—big things are on the horizon. This is simply just as it sounds, a new strategic direction for Goodale. As Regional Chief, I am looking to develop a plan for Goodale that will give leadership guidance and understanding of where we want we want Goodale to go. Think of it as a new park, without new Park money....😂
• Hired my first Park Manager, Kristi Floyd, at Aiken SP—and she’s already crushing it!

🗓️ A Day in the Life

Drive. Email. Meeting. Drive again. Rinse, repeat. But between those moments, I get to uplift parks, serve people, and make magic.

❤️ Most Satisfying Moments

It’s walking a park and watching staff glow with pride. It’s knowing you’ve had a part in that moment—no trophy needed. I can't go any further without mentioning being awarded the Park Director's Award as well as the Papenfus Award. Those are certainly great honors in my career.

😂 Funny Business

At the Park Managers meeting one year, I sang—and yes, there were tears. My vocal career hasn’t taken off since, but the memories? Unbeatable.

💪 Tough Lessons

Presenting flags to families of fallen park heroes is humbling. But the hardest moment? Learning that my park mentor, had cancer. He taught me resilience. Not by talking, but by fighting. He beat cancer and showed me how to lead with grit.

🧭 Advice to Future Rangers

Don’t chase money. Chase meaning. You’ll help people heal, create memories, and protect nature’s finest. That’s soul medicine.

🔝 Advice for Those Climbing the Ladder

Work hard when nobody’s watching. Show up. Stay positive. Give your BEST daily and never settle for less.

🧡 Favorite Parks?

I’m three parks shy of becoming an Ultimate Outsider. I don’t pick favorites—each park has its own heartbeat. But Lake Wateree? That’s family ground. My roots are there.

🔮 Final Words

I love my job. I’m always on vacation—because I live my occupation.

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We hope you enjoyed this special Park Service profile written by Moon himself. Thank you, Moon, for your outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the South Carolina State Park Service!

Think you might be interested in a career with us?  Click here to view our current full-time job openings and see how you can join the team!