Jacob Brown Named Raven Rock State Park Superintendent

Jacob Brown is the new park superintendent at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett County, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced. Brown succeeds John Privette, who became the division's law enforcement specialist last year.

Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services.

Brown grew up in Cameron, N.C., and visited Raven Rock State Park frequently as a child. He has a bachelor's degree in recreation management and biology from Appalachian State University. He got his start working in the outdoors as a temporary employee with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers during college, leading campground programs at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. After graduation, he worked as a youth camp counselor before becoming a park ranger for the city of Fayetteville. During his five-year stint with the city, he managed the daily operations of Clark Park and Nature Center, Lake Rim Park, and Mazarick Park.

He joined the division in 2020 and quickly made his way up the ranks to advanced ranger. Outdoor recreation, particularly leading paddling trips, has been the hallmark of his career in parks. Since joining State Parks, he has also done a lot of work in natural resource management. He holds a pesticide applicator's license, and he spent a lot of time treating invasive species while at Carvers Creek State Park. In addition, he obtained his firefighter type 1 certification and is working towards getting his burn boss certification for wildland fires.

"I can't imagine a better story than a young child who spent his childhood at Raven Rock now becoming in charge of that very same park," said State Parks Deputy Director of Operations Kathy Capps. "But beyond just being a young park visitor years ago, Jacob's extensive experience in outdoor recreation and his passion for nature make him a great fit for the park superintendent position. Raven Rock has become one of our most popular parks, with the immense growth of its surrounding communities, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in this leadership role."

Located 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, Raven Rock boasts the namesake 150-foot crystalline structure that overlooks the Cape Fear River. The park's trails along the bluffs leading to the rock are dotted with beautiful wildflowers, including mountain laurel. Hikes towards the river rewards visitors with landmarks like Lanier Rapids, Fish Traps Rapids, and the remains of the Northington Lock and Dam. Other accesses offer bridle trails, mountain bike trails, and a campground with RV camping and camper cabins.

About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 262,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina's state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.