Maryland Park Service Graduates 24 New Park Rangers

Secretary Mark Belton addressing 24 new rangers

Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton addressed 24 new rangers who graduated from the month-long Maryland Park Ranger School at a ceremony at New Germany State Park in Grantsville. Comprised of both new and veteran state park employees, the graduates have devoted themselves to protecting the state’s historic and natural resources.

“I’d like to congratulate the new park rangers on their graduation,” Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “As rangers, they will conserve, manage and protect some of Maryland’s most treasured places, providing excellence in customer service throughout our network of 66 state parks ─ a network that generates more than $650 million annually.”

The four-week academy incorporated classroom instruction with practical experiences. Students experienced real life scenarios and instruction involving resource management, search and rescue, campground operations, park maintenance, resource interpretation and diversity in education.

The graduation marked the ninth class of new rangers since the program was reinstated in 2009.

Graduates by work region:
Central
Matthew Grden, Elk Neck State Park
Diana Marsteller, Fair Hill NRMA
Michael Hyde, Gunpowder Falls State Park
Ashlee Reinke, Gunpowder Falls State Park
Travis Watts, Gunpowder Falls State Park
Ben Wood, Gunpowder Falls State Park
Erik Ledbetter, North Point State Park
Sarah McCarthy, Patapsco Valley State Park
Michelle Ramirez, Patapsco Valley State Park

Eastern Shore
Marc Heim, Assateague State Park
Dana Paterra, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park
Sarah Pocock, Janes Island State Park
Lisa Dennis, Pocomoke River State Park
Patrick Marshall, Pocomoke River State Park
Eric Waciega, Sandy Point State Park

Southern
Frederick Banks, Maryland Park Service Annapolis Headquarters
Christina Holden, Maryland Park Service Annapolis Headquarters
Robert Doneth, Point Lookout State Park
Luke Terrell, Point Lookout State Park
Danny Jones, Southern Maryland Recreational Complex

Western
Aaron Mills, Deep Creek Lake State Park
Andrea Townsley-Sapp, Deep Creek Lake State Park
Matt Tillett, New Germany State Park
Brian White, New Germany State Park