Don Hoch has 40 years of parks and recreation experience at the municipal, county, state, and federal level. Since 2010, he has been serving as the Director of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and has been with the agency for almost 14 years. Prior to being appointed Director, he served as the Puget Sound Region Director and the Southwest Region Director for the agency. Before coming to Washington, he was employed for 12 years with the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division, 10 years as a County Parks Director in Georgia, and several years working across the country with the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and two municipalities in California.
In 2017, Washington State Parks was recognized as a Gold Medal Finalist, and the National Association of State Park Directors presented Mr. Hoch with the Distinguished Service Award.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration from California State University, Chico and an Associate’s degree in Recreation from Fullerton College. Hoch has held law enforcement commissions at the county, state, and federal level.
Mr. Hoch is currently serving on or has served on a variety of Boards such as; National Association of State Park Directors, Washington Recreation and Park Association, Georgia Recreation and Park Association, National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, Georgia State Tourism Division Advisory Board, Washington Wildlife Recreation Coalition, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, Washington State Parks Foundation, and the Washington Recreation Conservation Funding Board.
Mr. Hoch has also been recognized with several recognitions such as; Washington State Governor Proclamation for “Don Hoch Day” in Washington, Georgia State Governor Certificate of Merit, Georgia State Park Superintendent of the Year, Georgia Historic Heartland Travel Association Lifetime Achievement, Macon-Bibb Co. CVB Volunteer of the Year, Georgia Recreation and Park Association – Mike Daniels Award, Outdoor and Aquatic Section’s Distinguished Professional, Georgia’s Magnolia Midlands Travel Association and the Historic Heartland Travel Association’s Volunteer of the Year, American Cancer Society Circle of Friends, Friend of Georgia 4-H. [current as of September 2018]