NEWS RELEASES
Jeff Cown Appointed Georgia's Director of the State Parks & Historic Site
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through Georgia State Park's website.
ATLANTA, Ga. - Commissioner of the DNR announces the new Director of State Parks & Historic Sites Division Jeff Cown, who will succeed Becky Kelley who is retiring in October. The Board of Natural Resources will act to approve Mr. Cown’s appointment at its September meeting. In addition, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Director Becky Kelley was recently honored during the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Stated in a press release, "Mr. Cown currently serves the Environmental Protection Division of DNR where he has worked for 28 years, most recently as Chief of the Land Protection Branch after his appointment in 2013. In this role, Mr. Cown oversees nearly 200 employees across five programs such as hazardous and solid waste management. Since joining EPD, Mr. Cown has held multiple positions within the Land Protection Branch. He holds a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Georgia." Furthermore, Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Director Becky Kelley was recently honored during the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism. She received the Paul Nelson Award for Outdoor Recreation and Preservation. Kelley retires this month after 16 years as parks director. The Paul Nelson Award for Outdoor Recreation and Preservation was established in 2013 to remember former Marketing Manager and Assistant State Parks Director Paul Nelson.
For more information on Jeff Cown and Becky Kelley, visit the Georgia DNR State Parks & Historic Sites website.