W.Va. State Parks System Announces Professional Advancement

            SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that three individuals recently have accepted state park administrative positions.  Paul Redford, Brad Reed, and Dave Caplinger have been chosen for key posts.

            Redford and Reed are now district administrators overseeing numerous areas across the state. They are stationed in the DNR Parks and Recreation Section office in South Charleston. Redford fills the District 1 Lodge/Resort park administrator position and Reed fills the District 2 administrator position over most parks in the western half of the state. Caplinger becomes superintendent at Pipestem Resort State Park.

            “Each of these positions is vital to the future of West Virginia’s state parks,” said DNR Director Frank Jezioro. “The collective experience and background that each bring into their new positions and responsibilities, ensures that the future of these special places is in good hands.”’   

Paul A. Redford – District 1 and Lodge/Resort Administrator

            Paul Redford is a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, earning both a BS and MBA there. He was employed at Wheeling’s Oglebay Park from 1984 through 2009. Over that time, he served as operations attendant and shift supervisor; park ranger, construction project coordinator, manager of finance and park security and capital projects/ safety manager. He has experience in grant writing and administration, security operations, safety and risk management, construction administration and contracts management. His district includes the 10 parks with lodges and four additional areas.

            “My passion has always been for parks and for traveling our beautiful state. Working in the state park system has been a lifelong aspiration and I consider it an honor to play a role in managing and preserving the best recreation opportunities our system has to offer.”

Bradley R. Reed, Sr. – District 2 Administrator

            Huntington native Brad Reed began working for West Virginia state parks in 1986 as a summer naturalist at Beech Fork State Park. Since then, he has been either superintendent or asst. supt of Tu-Endie-Wei, Babcock, Canaan Valley, and Cacapon state parks. A 1988 graduate of Marshall University with a Parks Management degree, he credits former W.Va. State Park Supt. Steve Bolar, when working at Canaan Valley, as being his inspiration and role model as he was to many in the park system.   

            According to Reed, “He was everything that I thought a ‘park ranger’ should be when it came to managing facilities and serving people. I hope to continue to serve the system and his memory well in my role as a district administrator.”  Reed’s district includes 17 areas. 

David W. Caplinger – Pipestem Resort State Park Superintendent

            David Caplinger began in parks in 1976 as a desk clerk at Blackwater Falls. Juggling seasonal jobs at Blackwater Falls State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tygart Lake during college, Caplinger graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Parks and Recreation management. He was employed by the U.S. Army in Illinois prior to accepting a full time position as assistant superintendent at West Virginia’s Lost River State Park in 1983.  He then went on to manage both Seneca State Forest and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.  

            “I am excited to be given the opportunity to serve one of the nation’s finest state park systems as superintendent of one of its most outstanding parks,” Caplinger said. Along with the Pipestem staff, we look forward to fulfilling Pipestem’s mission of providing safe, enjoyable recreation to our citizens in a beautiful and natural setting.”

            “Redford, Reed, and Caplinger bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and training with them as they move into greater responsibilities,” DNR Director Frank Jezioro said. “Their leadership, combined with the dedication of employees and volunteers of our park system, will keep our state parks responsive to the needs of the 21st century and continue responsible stewardship of public recreation and lands for generations to come.”

            For more information about West Virginia's state parks, visit www.wvstateparks.com or call for your free events calendar or general guide to the West Virginia state park system, 304-558-2764.