Finding a gig that blends passion and business is a tricky proposition. Brock Hill, State Park Director Of Tennessee, knows what it takes to find his groove. It takes tenaciousness, intention and dexterity...and more than a bit of love The importance of preserving and protecting the precious resource of the State Parks is and  always has been close to his heart. Hill sat down with The Buzz at the National Association Of State Park Directors Conference in French Lick, Indiana to discuss the element of memories, business savvy and protecting what is important.

The Buzz: How did nature shape to be the person you are today as State Park Director of Tennessee?

Brock Hill: As a little boy, my daddy used to take me to the woods all the time.  Daddy liked to hunt and fish so I got to go hunt and fish. We’d go out and look for animal signs before the season.  Most Sundays after church, my father and I would go, and later my younger brother, out into what we called “the country” which was just out in the woods around where we lived in a small town in Tennessee. I suspect it was always in my DNA but that gave it the opportunity to really flourish. Then when I was 15, my daddy took all of us out to Yellowstone…so all of us got to see a national park. I had been to the Smokies and other things in Tennessee but then we got to go to Yellowstone. I think that I have always enjoyed the outdoors. I love hiking…biking…those types of activities. It was probably always there. Then I went to college. I got a business degree. I took marketing classes and I wound up in our family business in my home town. From there, it sort of evolved into [my career as] an elected official. I was the county mayor [in Cumberland] for 4 terms and that was all great. But even when I was in retail, I [always] sought out things that were in the outdoors. We sold boots. We sold outdoor gear…packs…tents. And when I was county mayor, [the outdoors] was a big part of the economic development efforts we had in the community. I have always understood the value that a park brings to a community, particularly a rural community, and maybe more than what you obviously see.

The Buzz: It is about creating a sense of identity…

BH: It is a sense of identity but it also, in many instances, is a toehold for the economic. It wasn’t so much for us [in that community] because we had other things going on too but I felt it was a critical component. We live in a beautiful part of the world and we needed to tell people about that. So we buddied up with a park there. And then I got involved in the early development of another park…kind of like a trail…and I led some fundraising efforts to buy some land to add to it. So all my life I’ve sort of been around parks and been involved, but more off-to-the-side showing what I could do but not directly involved. Now I have the opportunity to join Governor Haslam and do what I do here now.

The Buzz: When you came into this position, what were your intentions in approach versus now what you are trying to accomplish?

BH: I think you have to, first of all, realize that you don’t know everything. I was a successful business person and I was a successful person at public service. So running a park system is a lot of business and dealing with the public and meeting their expectations. Those two things I knew how to do but I’d never been a park ranger or anything so I had to hire and surround myself with really good people  who could fill those knowledge voids that I felt like I had.  So I did. We’ve set goals. Early on you have to get a sense of where everything is but eventually we set targets for revenue and reduction of expenses… a couple different business strategies that have worked very well for us.

The Buzz: From talking to you, it is clear you know the business…you know the background…but the passion you have truly comes through as well.

BH: I was a good choice. (smiling) I don’t know if they knew when they chose me I would be that good of a choice. I don’t say that in a bragging way or boastful way. I just have always loved the parks…and I do have passion for them. I believe in them. I have personal memories of them like a lot of people do. But a lot of people have personal memories and they can’t take those memories and transform them into the energy it takes to run a park system. I brought with me pure luck or luck of the draw. I did run a business and I did OK at it. It’s interesting though…the county budget I operated with is almost the same amount in terms of numbers than I am managing as a state park director. It all matched up pretty well…and I think my folks [in the system] realized that I was somewhat of an outsider. The previous [state park] directors [in Tennessee] have all been lifelong rangers and moved through the system. I also knew that I might not be completely 100% welcomed. But it’s funny…several of them told me early on, “Man we’ve never had anybody like you before. You’re walking our butts off!” We would go back into the woods and I would say “Let’s go down there and look at that”.  I didn’t realize when they said [that] that a lot of folks they had in the past were not like me… [in other words] someone who would get out of the car, look around and get back in the car and drive away. That’s not who I am. I love what they do as professional rangers…and I respect that…and I think they have grown to respect me for what little I know. And they’re following…and I’m leading. And it’s all working out…and the system’s doing pretty well.

The Buzz: Everyone has their own opinions but there are also discussions back and forth.

BH: We do. We do.  What I do in Tennessee probably wouldn’t work in California. It might or it might not. I don’t know. It is great to get all the different states together and again, I think there is such strength in that unity because we all look around and say “these guys are pretty sharp”. It elevates everybody’s game. Again, there is that overriding “big picture”…whatever you want to call it…”big idea”…that what we do truly is meaningful. It is not just making money. It is not just praying that some tourists go and see a waterfall or something…it is just really cool. We are preserving and protecting the resources whether it historical, cultural, natural, whatever…we are preserving and protecting that for all time.