Fireside Chat Keynote Speaker
--
Paul MCcormack

Wednesday, November 2nd | 7 - 830 PM

"Please join me at a fireside chat, focusing on the need to improve diversity in our outdoor spaces. I will share my story and how my experiences have influenced my gradual shift in the approach we are taking in South Carolina to improve diversity in State Park users and staff. We will discuss different programs and the techniques we used to convince people of the need for outreach."

-- Paul McCormack                                                                             
Director of State Parks,                                                                    
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism

ABOUT PAUL: Paul grew up in a city outside of Boston Massachusetts where his love of the outdoors was fostered through family camping trips and years of attending and working at Boy Scout camp. He attended The Citadel where he studied education in the hopes of connecting his love of the outdoors with his passion for sharing it with kids. After marrying his college sweetheart and having their first child, a chance encounter with a Park anger led him to apply to the South Carolina State Park Service. He started his career as a Ranger and over the years has gained two more sons, worked at several parks, managed a region, celebrated 30 years of marriage and has been the Director of South Carolina State Parks since the summer of 2018. His goals as Director have been to improve SC state Parks for the people who work there and the visitors who enjoy them. He is active in the National Association of State Park Directors serving as the current Vice President and is currently working towards a Masters in Parks and Resource management at Slippery Rock University.