Black Rock Mountain State Park Manager Jessica James Weems has been promoted to Revenue Manager for Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, a division of the Department of Natural Resources. She will be responsible for analyzing all elements of revenue, occupancy, and visitation, which support the division’s mission.
“I am going to miss working and raising my children on a state park, but I am looking forward to this next step in my career,” said Weems. “I hope to make a positive difference within the department.”
The Sautee native graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Recreation Resource Management and has a graduate certificate in Natural Resource Management and Policy. She began her DNR career in 2004 as an intern at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Since then, Weems has served as manager at Black Rock Mountain State Park, assistant manager at Tallulah Gorge State Park, recreation director at Unicoi State Park, and interpretive ranger at Smithgall Woods State Park, Hardman Farm Historic Site and Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Weems has responded to numerous search-and-rescue operations throughout the years. She was named Park Manager of the Year in 2021 and a Customer Service Award recipient in 2019, and has won numerous programming awards. Additionally, she is a DNR Leadership Academy graduate, America’s State Park Leadership School graduate and Georgia Park Ranger Academy instructor.
Weems and her family plan to move from Black Rock Mountain to Habersham County, where her husband, Kevin, is an Assistant Principal at Habersham 9th Grade Academy. Their daughter Zoey will still attend Habersham Central, and daughter Hudson will continue to attend Rabun Gap Nacoochee School.
