Department of Parks
Kentucky Parks Department Salutes ‘Rangers of the Year’

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Parks has announced the recipients of its first-ever “Ranger of the Year” awards.

The awards were presented in six geographic divisions to recognize outstanding performance of duties in 2005.  The criteria included such factors as investigations, maintenance of uniforms, equipment, and vehicle, adaptability, initiative, communication, teamwork, attendance  and punctuality, dependability and responsibility, and customer service and community relations.

“Congratulations to the winners,” said Joey Hoover, the director of the Rangers. “They have reason to be very proud. We had so many strong candidates.”

The Ranger of the Year recipients are as follows:

• District 1: Ranger Tim Vance, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
• District 2: Ranger Veachel Adwell, Barren River Lake State Resort Park
• District 3: Ranger Larry McClanahan, Kincaid Lake State Park
• District 4: Ranger Jaimeson McCutchen, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
• District 5: Ranger Phillip Noble, Natural Bridge State Resort Park
• District 6: Ranger Albert Goodin, Levi Jackson State Park

There are nearly 70 Rangers throughout the Kentucky park system, handling everything from public relations to criminal investigations.

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov