Katie Liming will serve as the management assistant and Daniel “Boone” Vandzura will serve as the chief ranger to oversee the Visitor and Resource Protection Division. 

As the park’s management assistant, which functions as chief of staff, Liming will work on strategic operations, legislative affairs and program analysis. Liming comes to the Smokies from the National Park Service’s National Capital Region, where she served as the region’s primary spokesperson and supported the 15 national parks in the Greater Washington, D.C. area in strategic communications and media relations.  

“Katie’s clear communication style, desire to connect the public to national parks, and her deep understanding of National Park Service policies make her a great fit for the park’s management team,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “She is a natural leader and is already hard at work on high-level park projects.” 

As chief ranger, Vandzura will lead the Visitor and Resource Protection Division which includes law enforcement, wildland fire, emergency medical services, search and rescue, backcountry operations, lands and rights-of-way office, and the emergency communications center. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Boone to the Smokies and to the Park Management Team,” said Deputy Superintendent Alan Sumeriski. “Boone’s knowledge of law enforcement and emergency services, combined with his thoughtful approach to employee and community relationships, make him the perfect choice to run one of the agency’s busiest law enforcement and emergency services operations. ”