Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : June 6, 2007

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: James R. Michael, President, WV State Parks Foundation (304) 258-5277

Former State Parks Chief Cordie Hudkins Named State Parks Foundation Inc. Executive Director

Berkeley Springs, WV – James R. Michael, President of the West Virginia State Parks Foundation Board of Directors, has announced that Cordie O. Hudkins, a career employee with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ state parks system, has been appointed Executive Director of the West Virginia State Parks Foundation Inc. Hudkins, before his retirement, served 10 years as chief of State Parks and was the recipient of many national awards, including the coveted Cornelius Pugsley Award given by the National Parks Foundation and the Oshel Craigo Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Virginia Division of Tourism.

Hudkins will initially devote his energies to securing grants and gifts, which will be used to fund interpretative and entertainment programs to be presented at West Virginia State Parks and Forests. “These programs will suffer if they are not subsidized by the Foundation,” said Hudkins. “I believe that historical and natural interpretations are some of the cornerstones of the park system and throughout my career in Parks I have supported the employment of the cadre of interpretative rangers. “

To contribute to the West Virginia State Park Foundation’s effort, contributions may be mailed to the West Virginia State Park Foundation, State Capitol Complex, Bldg. 3, Room 712, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305-0662.

**DNR**