Virginia State Parks Speakers

Dr. Melissa Baker – Director Virginia State Parks

Dr. Melissa Baker is the Director of Virginia State Parks where she oversees the operation of the 43-state park system with an estimated visitation of 8 million visitors per year. She is the eighth director in Virginia State Parks’ 85-year history and the first woman to serve in that role. Melissa came to Virginia State Parks in January of 2020 from her position as Director of the North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation. Prior to her work in North Dakota, she worked as Chief of Operations of Montana State Parks, a recreation manager for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and as a Professor of Forest Recreation in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. She has a Ph.D. in Forestry with an emphasis on recreation management and natural resources alternative dispute resolution from the University of Montana, where she conducted social science research in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Director Baker looks forward to hosting the other Directors of the Southeastern Region at this year’s ASSPD conference. 

David Bryan – State Parks Planner

David Bryan has spent almost 15 years working with various state and federal conservation agencies, primarily in the context of resource management planning and conservation planning across the Commonwealth of Virginia. David joined DCR in 2019 and moved to his current position as State Parks Planner in early 2022. As part of the Resource Management Team, David primarily works on master planning, resource planning, visitor experience planning and strategic planning efforts on behalf of the park system. Conference participants will have the opportunity to hear David review a nationwide study that DCR recently conducted to revitalize its own master planning program and develop a new process that is being successfully implemented today.

Joshua Ellington – Chief of Resource Management

As the Chief of Resource Management, Joshua Ellington oversees natural resources, cultural resources, physical resources, VSP’s GIS program, and park planning. He began his Virginia State Parks career in 1997 as a wage Maintenance Ranger, moving to a full-time Park Ranger position in 1999. Over the years, he’s served as Park Manager at Staunton River State Park, Twin Lakes State Park, and Pocahontas State Park, and as the Central Virginia District Manager. A graduate of the National Association of State Park Directors’ State Park Leadership School, Josh brings over 27 years of park operations, planning, and resource management experience. Joshua will be addressing conference participants on the topic of Asset Management and the newly adopted Virginia State Parks Asset Management System. 

Veronica Flick – Chief of Business Revenue Administration

Veronica Flick brings over eight years of experience with the agency, including roles as Business Manager and Park Manager, as well as over 3 years in her current role. She also previously served as a Department of Defense civilian, training sailors in store operations and managing shipboard renovations. In her current role, and through partnership with other divisions, she leads financial strategy, logistics, administrative resources, and revenue operations across the Division of State Parks. In her presentation to conference participants, she’ll be sharing insights on Streamlining Administrative Processes for Greater Efficiency in Virginia State Parks.

Jessica German – Ranger Conservation Corps Program Manager

Jessica German joined the United States Air Force in 1995 and embarked on a meaningful career in armament systems. After completing 15 assignments and over 10 deployments, working with eight different aircraft, she ultimately chose to retire from the demands of weapons aircraft maintenance. She then shifted paths, joining the Department of Conservation and Recreation as the first Agency Intern in the DOD SkillBridge Program. Following her transformative internship with Virginia State Parks, Jessica stepped into roles including Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator at York River State Park, Eastern AmeriCorps Program Manager, and Professional Development Assistant. In her current role as Ranger Conservation Corps Program Manager, she offers invaluable guidance to college interns, fellow service members, and internal interns, helping them explore the abundant opportunities that parks can provide. Jessica envisions using her career experience to create a robust foundation for the Ranger Conservation Corps program and will be speaking about the program’s development process on the career pathing Panel. 

Eric Hougland – Professional Development Coordinator

Eric Hougland oversees professional development for Virginia State Parks. This includes delivering training with internal instructors; coordination when utilizing external training resources; coordination and support for division meetings; coordination and support for division working groups; and overseeing internship and career pathing opportunities including Ranger Conservation Corps. Eric holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Master's degree in Recreation and Park Management and has an incredible 31 years of service with Virginia State Parks under his belt. He started as a Park Ranger in 1994 and served at four different parks - including Park Manager at three and later as the Central Virginia District Manager. Eric began his current role as Virginia State Parks’ first Professional Development Coordinator in 2017. He finds joy in seeing other people succeed and looks forward to speaking with conference participants on the topics of career pathing and working groups. 

Lauren McMillan – Cultural Resource Manager

Lauren McMillan, Cultural Resource Manager of Virginia State Parks, assists staff from all 43 parks and liaises with other agency divisions and external partners concerning projects related to historic architecture, archaeological sites and collections, cultural landscapes, cemeteries, and museum collections. Lauren also serves as the State Parks tribal liaison and works with interpretive staff on exhibits and programs focused on Indigenous history. Lauren earned her BA in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington, MA in Anthropology from East Carolina University, and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Lauren has been with the agency for nearly three years and will provide the an overview of the Virginia State Parks Cultural Resource Program and the official introduction to the State Parks Tribal Partners Showcase at the Machicomoco State Park field visit. 

Adam Newland – Machicomoco State Park Manager

As the Park Manager of Machicomoco State Park, Adam Newland oversees all operations, budgeting, and community relationships for Machicomoco State Park within the Virginia State Parks system. With over a year in his current role, Adam brings extensive experience from his previous career as a zookeeper managing a small urban zoo. A Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the NRPA, Adam is proud to serve in his home county of Gloucester, helping provide public natural spaces that were not available during his youth. Adam will introduce conference participants to Machicomoco State Park, its mission, and its role within the VSP system. 

Laura Papp – Sky Meadows State Park Chief Ranger Visitor Experience

Laura Papp is an interpretive leader for Virginia State Parks, currently serving as Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience at Sky Meadows State Park. A Virginia Beach local and graduate of the College of William and Mary, Laura started her Park Ranger career at First Landing State Park in 2017. She served in the contact and interpretive departments prior to taking on the full-time CRVE role in 2021. Laura currently holds the Chair Position for the Interpretive and Visitor Experience Working Group and looks forward to facilitating the group’s upcoming initiatives to support training and mentorship for the next generation of VSP interpreters. As the conference emcee, Laura will introduce her colleagues and provide updates to conference participants throughout the week.

Katie Shepard – Chief of Education and Interpretation

Katie Shepard, Chief of Education and Interpretation for Virginia State Parks, graduated from James Madison University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science and Technology, where her studies focused on environmental science and natural resource management. Since starting her career with VSP in 2011, Katie has gained valuable experience in a diversity of roles throughout her tenure, including administration, resource management, interpretation, and Park Management. Upon taking over her current role in 2023, Katie has been able to unify her love for mentoring fellow rangers and for creating meaningful opportunities to share the most special parts of Virginia with visitors. Chief Shepard will be introducing Virginia State Parks' education mission and the State Parks Showcase to conference participants during the York River State Park field visit. 

Scarlett Stevens – Community Engagement and Volunteerism Manager

As Community Engagement and Volunteerism Manager for Virginia State Parks, Scarlett Stevens and her team in Richmond oversee the Camp Host, Volunteer, and Youth Conservation Corps programs. She also supports the robust Virginia State Parks Friends Groups in support of parks across the Commonwealth. Scarlett grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, hiking in the Blue Ridge mountains, and received her Bachelor’s degree from American University’s School of International Service. Scarlett has been with state parks for just shy of 3 years and will present to conference participants on the Career Pathing Panel.

Scott Vantrease – Chief of Public Safety & Law Enforcement

Scott Vantrease is responsible for overseeing public safety and law enforcement staff and related operations within the Department of Conservation & Recreation. Chief Vantrease has been with DCR for almost 5 years and in law enforcement for over 30 years at the local, county, state, and federal levels, starting in 1989 with a recreational law enforcement position with a Sheriff’s Department in Michigan. He is a member and serves on numerous committees for professional organizations and groups, a Certified Chief Executive through the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Association, and the current Chair of the Executive Board for the Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy. Conference participants can hear from Chief Vantrease on the Career Pathing Panel discussing growth opportunities and law enforcement restructuring in Virginia State Parks. 

Charlie Whalen – York River State Park Manager

Bruce Widener – First Landing Park Manager

Bruce Widener started his career in 1989 as a wage maintenance employee at Hungry Mother State Park and was promoted to a full-time Park Ranger in 1991 at Staunton River State Park. Over the next 34 years, he served as Chief Ranger at Smith Mountain Lake and Assistant Park Manager at both Shenandoah River State Park and Smith Mountain Lake State Park. For the past 16 years, he has proudly served as Park Manager at First Landing State Park. Bruce looks forward to hosting conference participants at his home park during this year’s conference.

Honor Guard Members

Paul Anderson – Widewater State Park Manager
Kenny Ashdown – Leesylvania State Park Manager
Tom Stevens – Seven Bends State Park Manager
Kenny Strum – High Bridge Trail State Park Chief Ranger

The DCR Honor/Color Guard was founded in 2013. The mission of the Guard is to carry and protect the colors of our country and state, honor those who have served, and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Law Enforcement Rangers from across the Commonwealth were selected to represent the dedication and professionalism of the agency.  

Guest Speakers 

W. Frank Adams – Chief of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe

Chief W. Frank Adams is a lifetime King William County, Virginia resident and a birthright member of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe. A dedicated public servant and entrepreneur, Adams has over 40 years of experience in small business management and Tribal and local government. Adams is currently Chief of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe and has been involved in his Tribal government for most of his adult life. Adams served as Assistant Chief for the Upper Mattaponi Tribe for 16 consecutive years before becoming Chief in January of 2017. Adams also served 8 consecutive years (1992-2000) on the Tribal Council. He has helped to guide the Tribe’s fight for federal recognition, planned and executed numerous fundraisers and assisted in tribal community outreach. As a resident of King William County, Adams has also served on numerous boards for the county government as a volunteer. Adams was elected to serve a 4-year term on the Board of Supervisors for King William County as the 3rd district representative, providing leadership and decision-making within the scope of local government. Adams is a board member of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and a board member for local community assistance organization Thrive. Adams has served as a Tribal representative for the King William County Tri-Centennial Committee as well as the King William County Parks and Recreation Department. Adams was appointed by the Governor of Virginia and was chairman of the Virginia Council on Indians for a four-year term. Since 1996, Adams has owned and operates Glenwood Golf Club in Henrico, Virginia. Adams is also a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association. Adams is a lifelong member of Indian View Baptist Church where he is the Chairman of the Building & Grounds and Church Cemetery Committee. Adams’ passion is serving the citizens of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe.

Paul McCormack – President National Association of State Park Directors

A native of Massachusetts, Paul McCormack graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, with a bachelor’s degree in education and nearly a decade of experience working in Scout camps. He landed his first job as a park ranger at a small, day-use, state park in South Carolina’s Lowcountry in June 1995. As he climbed through the ranks of the South Carolina State Park Service, his career led him to serve at parks along the sandy Atlantic coast and in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He built his home in central South Carolina, raising his three sons with his wife Shannon, while serving as the Sandhills Regional Chief for more than 15 years. In 2018, Paul was named Director of South Carolina State Parks. As a career ranger, Paul focused his leadership on investing and empowering team members and creating opportunities to share state parks with new visitors though outreach, education, partnerships, and park projects. He is leading the Park Service through a period of historic growth, as the previous family of 47 state parks will grow to more than 54 in the years ahead. Paul received his master’s in Parks and Recreation from Slippery Rock University in 2024, and was selected to serve as the President of the National Association of State Park Directors in December of the same year. As he enters the new role, he looks forward to building relationships and resources that can help all state park directors serve their states better.

Beth Roach – Tribal Council Vice Chair of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia

Beth Roach is dedicated to protecting rivers, seeds, and cherished places. Her early childhood experiences at Chippokes State Park—where she later served for many years as a volunteer, seasonal Interpreter, Park Ranger, and Chief Ranger, inspired her lifelong path in conservation and cultural preservation. Over her career, she has also served as Grants Manager for the James River Association, Community Organizer for Mothers Out Front, and AmeriCorps Director for the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps. Beth earned her bachelor's in history with a concentration in public history from James Madison University. She is a graduate of the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute and a former UVA Public Fellow for the Coastal Conservatory. Since 2019, she has been leading a team of academia, government agencies, and tribal entities called Tribal Coastal Resilience Connections, supporting Indigenous communities in Virginia and North Carolina adapting to climate impacts. Today, she serves as the National Water Conservation Campaign Manager for the Sierra Club and is a co-founder of the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers. Through her work, Beth weaves together traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquoian) knowledge, environmental humanities, and Indigenous-led stewardship, advancing water and climate justice across Virginia and beyond.

ASSPD 2025 Planning Committee