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Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pam Brewington Cashwell today joined business leaders, local elected officials and tribal leaders in Robeson County for the 11th and final visit in a series of Rural Listening Sessions held across the state this year.

Secretary Cashwell and other cabinet agency secretaries have been on the road with Governor Josh Stein’s Rural Listening Tour to hear directly from rural North Carolinians about their concerns and priorities as Gov. Stein’s administration works to strengthen communities across the state.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) announced today that North Carolina Museum of Art Director and North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc., CEO Dr. Valerie Hillings will be leaving to become the inaugural director of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, a museum of modern and contemporary art announced to open Dec. 11, 2026. Hillings, who began the role in 2018, presided over significant growth at the NCMA campuses in Raleigh and Winston-Salem and successfully led the largest private fundraising campaign in NCMA history.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) today announced the appointment of Amy Craft Klassen as the new executive director of Roanoke Island Festival Park. Most recently, Klassen served as the associate director/director of museum operations for the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio.

“Amy has diverse experience leading the operations and strategic planning for multi-site properties, historic properties and public programs, making her well-suited to take the reins at Roanoke Island Festival Park,” said DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell.

Longtime park ranger Jeffrey Turner has been selected as the new park superintendent at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) today announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Penning as the new director of the North Carolina Zoo.

Dr. Penning recently announced his retirement as vice president of animals, science, and environment for Disney Experiences, part of the Walt Disney Company. There he oversaw animal care, conservation, and environmental initiatives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo and Friends at Epcot, and at Disney parks around the world.

The N.C.

A free-born African American Patriot soldier soon will be recognized with a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker. The N.C. Historical Marker Program is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Steve Rogers has been selected as the new park superintendent at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Dare County, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services. Rogers succeeds long-time superintendent Joy Cook, who retired in January.

Garrett German has been chosen as the new park superintendent at Singletary Lake State Park in Bladen County, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.