Cash, who started his job in February, named Clayton F. Jordan as his second-in-command, replacing Patty Wissinger who passed away in June 2014. 

Clay had been chief of the Resource and Visitor Protection Division since 2010, an aspect of park operations in which he has 29 years of experience. He served as acting superintendent from September 2014 to January 2015 and acting deputy superintendent from May 2014 to August 2014. 

“Clay has developed strong leadership knowledge of the overall operations at the Smokies through his service as acting superintendent and deputy superintendent over the last eight months,” Cash said. “Clay has been nationally recognized for his strong leadership within the resource and visitor protection leadership ranks as well as with our local partners and the employees.”