Provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
Credit: James O’Malley/County of Bucks
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn recently announced the appointment of Ronald Gilliland to serve as an assistant manager for the Delaware Canal State Park Complex in Bucks and Northampton counties.
“Ron’s experience with DCNR in a number of roles are a tremendous asset at one of our signature parks,” Dunn said. “We are pleased to have Ron’s passion and dedication at the Delaware Canal complex and look forward to seeing his positive impact at the parks and in the community.”
Gilliland officially began assisting with operations in the park complex in October, managing the northern portion of Delaware Canal State Park and overseeing operations at Ralph Stover State Park.
Gilliland said he is excited for this new role, noting that he is eager to elevate Ralph Stover and the active and passive recreation opportunities it offers.
“I grew up going to state parks and I am excited for the opportunity to work at such a unique park complex,” Gilliland said. “I am eager to build connections with the community, partners, and visitors so that I can continue the tradition of strong leadership the public has come to expect.”
Gilliland is a Butler, Pennsylvania native who spent a lot of his time with family at McConnells Mill and Moraine State parks in Western Pennsylvania during his childhood.
He earned associate degrees in park and recreation management and business management from Butler Community College.
A lifelong worker, Gilliland noted that he has ‘a done little bit of everything’ during his career, pointing to an early start working at his family’s auto shop, and later working at a mushroom farm.
His roles at DCNR span multiple positions, such as semi-skilled laborer, park resource ranger, wastewater treatment plant trainee, maintenance repairman, and as a park manager trainee for the eastern region of DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks prior to his appointment at Delaware Canal.
Gilliland’s public service also includes serving four years in the U.S. Army, which included a deployment to Iraq.
When he isn’t working, Gilliland enjoys long trips on his motorcycle, visiting national parks, hiking, and spending time with his dog, Kahlua.
