ServiceWear Apparel has announced Jesse Anderson, superintendent of Greenbrier State Forest and Moncove Lake State Park in West Virginia, as the 2014 Park Ranger of the Year. The award honors a ranger who goes above and beyond the call of duty in service to his or her state park and community. The award was presented Oct. 28 during a ceremony in the office of West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
Making the presentation to Anderson was Jim Burnett, executive vice president of Business Development and Government Services for ServiceWear Apparel. Attending were friends and colleagues from the Division of Natural Resources and its State Parks and Recreation Section.
State parks agencies from across the country were asked by ServiceWear Apparel to make nominations for the award, and then an online vote was taken by park visitors and fans during most of September. Anderson was nominated by West Virginia State Parks District Administrator Bradley Reed. More than 8,500 votes were cast from across the nation, with Anderson getting the most votes. The award comes with grand prize of $1,000 cash, plus an additional $1,000 worth of apparel total for his parks.
Anderson set himself apart by managing operations, maintenance, guest services, and security at both Greenbrier State Forest and Moncove Lake State Park during parts of 2013 and 2014. The areas, located in Greenbrier and Monroe counties, support more than 6,026 acres of public land and host more than 215,000 visitors annually. Cabins, campsites, picnic areas, swimming pools, lake, disc golf, sporting range, hunting and fishing are just some of the recreational activities located on the areas. He volunteered to manage both areas during two separate time periods at no additional compensation, a responsibility that continues today.
“All state parks field personnel do a great job,” said Gov. Tomblin. “Jesse Anderson distinguished himself by volunteering to manage two parks at the same time for more than six months as DNR has been in the process of hiring a superintendent at Moncove Lake. Jesse exemplifies the spirit of dedication, sacrifice and work ethic that West Virginia recognizes in park rangers and superintendents. He is a credit to the Division of Natural Resources and the state parks system.”
