Blackwater Falls State park has a new Assistant Superintendent. Matthew Baker took his post just over a month ago and serves in a support role under park superintendent Rob Gilligan.
Baker, a native of Delaware, is no stranger to West Virginia having lived mostly here for the last fifteen years. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Davis and Elkins College where he studied Recreational Management and Tourism. Baker, 36, has a wife, Holly (a native of Buckhannon), and a black lab.
“I came out to college here and fell in love with the state, and a girl!” he said.
Baker describes his job as a little bit of everything: administration, maintenance, and hospitality, making the guests feel welcomed and at home. He said he enjoyed the fact that every day you never knew what you’re going to get in to.
This is not Baker’s first post with the West Virginia State Parks system. He has been with them for ten years. He has served as Assistant Superintendent of Blennerhassett State Park, Superintendent of Cooper’s Rock State Park, then went back and became Superintendent of Blennerhassett, before taking the post as Assistant Superintendent of our very own Blackwater Falls State Park. Although going from a Superintendent’s position to an assistant sounds like a step down on the career ladder, it actually wasn’t. Baker said that since it is a larger park with more activities, that this is actually a step forward in his career. He currently holds a Superintendent 3 grade.
When asked what he liked most about his job, Baker said that what he liked most was also what could, at times, be the most difficult part of his job too; that was never knowing what you’re going to get when you walk in the door.
“Most everyone I know who got in to parks, got in to it because they like the parks and the activities at the parks. When the sled run on Sundays is full of little kids laughing all the way from the top to the bottom, it gives me a sense of fulfillment at what I do”, said Baker.
He said he also appreciated the differing work experiences that the state park system has given him. He has learned everything from boats to snowmobiles. Baker, who lives on site, also quipped that his daily commute is great.
When asked what he liked about Tucker County, Baker said that he loved the snow. The novelty of it hasn’t worn off for him yet , in spite of the fact that while we were chatting he was needed on one of the many traffic accidents that had happened that day due to the snowy conditions.
“We didn’t get much (snow) growing up. I love the mountains. Delaware is flat as can be. Really the people made me fall in love with the state. Most everyone here is laid back, friendly. It’s a less stressful life.”
So if you find yourself at Blackwater Falls and see someone in uniform who is actually smiling because it is blowing snow, smile back and welcome our new Assistant Superintendent, Matthew.
