MONTGOMERY, AL — Chad Davis, who began his career with Alabama State Parks as a 19-year-old seasonal employee at Joe Wheeler State Park, has been named Deputy Director of Alabama State Parks, making him the No. 2 executive within the statewide system.
“I am extremely humbled to be selected as the deputy director of Alabama State Parks,” Davis said. “I’ve spent my entire professional career with the park system, and I look forward to helping all 21 parks continue to offer first-class experiences for every guest. We have fantastic state parks in Alabama, and I am committed to making them better than ever.”
Davis has dedicated more than 20 years to Alabama’s state parks, rising through the ranks from ranger to his most recent position as district superintendent for the Northwest Region. In that role, he managed daily operations and strategic planning for Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, Rickwood Caverns, Cathedral Caverns and Lake Lurleen state parks.
His earlier roles included assistant superintendent at Joe Wheeler and DeSoto State Parks, and his first full-time position was as a ranger at Lake Guntersville State Park after earning his bachelor’s degree from Athens State University.
“Chad has proven himself to be a true leader in our State Parks System, and I’m pleased that he has agreed to become our new Deputy Director,” said Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “After leading five of our state parks for nearly a decade, Chad possesses a wealth of knowledge about park management, law enforcement, marketing, hospitality and strategic operations. We are fortunate to have him in this key leadership role.”
In 2013, Davis became the first Alabama graduate of the State Park Leadership School, a prestigious program coordinated by the National Association of State Parks Directors. He also brings 15 years of law enforcement experience to the role and graduated from the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in 2006. Davis currently serves on the board of directors for both the Alabama State Parks Foundation and the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association.
A native of Lexington, Alabama, Davis graduated from Lexington High School, just 15 miles from where his journey began at Joe Wheeler State Park. He now resides in Lexington with his wife, Jessica, an elementary school teacher, and their two daughters.
The Alabama State Parks Division, part of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, manages 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres. The system offers a wide range of recreational experiences, from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian Mountains, and relies primarily on visitor fees and community partnerships for funding. More information can be found at www.alapark.com.
