Amy Atwood

I started this journey in 1999 as the Visitor Services Specialist for Virginia State Parks, and some days I find myself wondering where all the time went.  Over these past years, the focus of the job has changed.  An important part of the job focus changed from focusing on volunteer recruitment to marketing our state parks. And one thing is for sure, our parks are a challenge to promote because there’s so much more to talk about than just a vacation and time spent with family.

On my first day, I remember driving into Hungry Mother State Park looking at the lake and thinking, “I hope I never take this view for granted.”  Little did I know that was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I am blessed to not only work out of Hungry Mother State Park but with five additional state parks in the “Great Southwest of Virginia” that I manage marketing, advertising and public relations for, I travel throughout this region (Pulaski County to Lee County) on a regular basis. The mountains and history of the area are a part of me. And I love it.

My husband and I live in Marion, VA, and both work for Virginia State Parks.  I have three step-daughters - one working at Liberty University, one attending Liberty University and one in high school. Speaking of where all the time went...

With social media such a big part of my job, these girls are my secret weapons.  From learning to ride a bike, to taking and posting prom pictures, the parks are as much a part of our family as any place could be.