DENR selects new state parks chief

Mike Murphy, 60, is a past managing director and president of Trident Financial Services and was an astronomy and physics instructor at Ravenscroft School. His first day as director of state parks will be July 22.

Murphy will oversee the state’s 35 parks and four recreation areas, 20 natural areas, seven lakes, four rivers and four state trails – totaling nearly 220,000 acres of land and water. Murphy succeeds Lewis Ledford, who retired after 37 years of service to the state parks system.

“Mike brings to us passion, experience and a terrific skill set,” DENR Secretary John Skvarla said in a statement. “He is ideally suited to lead the division as we approach the North Carolina State Parks system's centennial celebration in 2016. His diverse background as a science educator, a financial expert and businessman will play critical roles in supporting the multiple components of our state parks system.”

Murphy earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and two other master’s degrees, including one for astronomy from Swinburne University of Technology. He also served six years in the U.S. Navy, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant.