MADISON, WI - Dan Schuller, a 28-year employee of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, has been named the new director of the Wisconsin State Park Program.

Schuller has most recently served as the DNR Northern Region Land Leader in Rhinelander. He will be replacing Bill Smith, who has been acting state parks director since the resignation of Dave Borsecnik last year.

“Dan brings the leadership capabilities, field experience, enthusiasm, and vision to make our already-great state park system even greater,” said Laurie Osterndorf, administrator of the DNR Division of Lands.

Schuller has a degree in Recreational Resources Management, from University of Wisconsin- Madison and has spent his entire 28-year career with the DNR Lands program, starting as a limited term employee at Devil's Lake State Park. He subsequently worked in five other state parks prior to his moving to the Facilities & Lands program.

“I am truly humbled and honored to return to the park's program in this role as director, Schuller said in a statement. “State parks feature what's best about Wisconsin -- rare natural resources, exciting recreation, and high quality services for visitors. I look forward to working with State Park staff to move the program forward building on that solid foundation.”