Donnie Holland of Cadiz will be Kentucky’s next Commissioner of the Department of Parks.
Governor-Elect Matt Bevin appointed Holland, who has a business management background with Wabash National Trailer Centers, Benson International and Johnson Controls. Holland says he has also been a long-time volunteer with Friends of Lake Barkley State Park and Land Between the Lakes.
He says he will start his new position by reviewing the economic impact of state parks.
“I think the image of Kentucky is enhanced by the park, I think the economy is enhanced, I think that the historical significance of a lot of the parks is preserved through the state park system. So I think it’s a broad spectrum of benefits. We need to make sure that we take care of these institutions for not only our current benefit but for the future as well,” Holland said.
He says public-private partnerships could be one way to enhance the state park system.
“Each case has to be carefully weighed,” Holland said. “So there will be a hard look at where [public-private partnerships] could fit. And so we’re certainly not averse to exploring those opportunities. Particularly since there are some good examples of how it can work. I think the governor and the legislature want us to have an open mind about that.”
Holland says he is looking to grow and expand the park system. He says he would like to refurbish the state parks’ aging facilities and develop more adventure tourism.
