McElhone is New Superintendent at Lake James State Park

RALEIGH – Sean McElhone, formerly a superintendent at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, has been named superintendent of Lake James State Park in Burke County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. McElhone succeeds Tim Benton, who retired earlier this year after 20 years at the park.

A superintendent is the chief of operations and administration at a state park or state recreation area with wide-ranging responsibilities for staffing, training, law enforcement, visitor services, natural resource protection and environmental education.

McElhone served as superintendent at Fort Fisher in New Hanover County since April 2006. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., he earned an associate degree in forest technology and a bachelor’s degree in recreation and parks management, both from Penn State University in 2000.

McElhone was an intern at Mount Mitchell State Park, before joining the state parks system in 2000 as a ranger at Hammocks Beach State Park. He was a senior ranger at Jones Lake State Park and is a certified environmental educator.

“Lake James will be undergoing a tremendous transformation as we incorporate nearly 3,000 acres acquired from Crescent Resources Inc. and begin construction on the first phase of development,” said Lewis Ledford, director of the division. “Sean’s experience as superintendent of a very busy state park and his dedication to protecting natural resources give him an excellent background to guide this important project.”

Lake James State Park was created in 1987 and encompasses 3,514 acres on both the north and south shores of the lake. The park recorded 680,110 visits in 2006.

(EDITORS:   A jpeg image of McElhone is available on our website, please click here to download.

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