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Contact: Lorrie Sprague, 304 465-6521 Governor Presents Distinguished West Virginian Award to Cal Hite, and Tourism Commission Honors Hite With Resolution Cal Hite, National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent of New River Gorge National River, was honored yesterday at the 2006 West Virginia Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards Program in Charleston, WV. First on the ceremony’s agenda was Governor Joe Manchin, presenting Superintendent Hite with the Distinguished West Virginian Award. During the presentation, the Governor summarized Hite’s thirty-three year career with the National Park Service, noting that it was particularly fitting that Hite had both begun and ended his NPS career in West Virginia. Just after graduating from West Virginia University, Hite worked as a seasonal interpreter at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Over three decades later, he will retire in January 2007 as the Superintendent of three NPS units in southern WV: New River Gorge National River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and Bluestone National Scenic River. Governor Manchin noted that Hite had been recognized by the NPS " for his work in protecting the Gorge from development threats," and for communicating "the significance of the park’s resources. He was an important partner to the tourism industry," the Governor continued, "Those who have come to know him and work with him on a daily basis will miss him." Hite was also recognized at the ceremony by the WV Tourism Commission with a resolution honoring his contributions. Read to the audience by the Commission’s chairperson, Scott Rotruck, the resolution concludes with an expression of "gratitude and appreciation for his untiring efforts to preserve, protect and promote the New River Gorge, one of the state’s most breathtaking natural resources and valuable tourism destinations." |
Last updated: February 26, 2015