New Fort Boonesborough State Park Director Rob Minerich has only been on the job since Sept. 1, but he certainly is no stranger to the local area.
Minerich, a Richmond resident and Madison Central High School graduate, previously worked as an executive staff advisor for the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, now the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, where he worked on many projects within the state parks system.
In that position, Minerich said he traveled to all but one park in the system, and knows firsthand how valuable an asset Fort Boonesborough is to both the Madison and Clark county communities.
“This is a viable park in the system and it is noticed by our leadership in Frankfort,” Minerich said. “I do know that we have one of the best campgrounds in the system along with the other pieces of the park — the museum and swimming pool. Along with the historical significance of the fort, it makes this a very significant part of the parks system.”
Minerich said he has been impressed thus far with the quality of employees the park has, and he is looking forward to working alongside them to make the park even better.
One of his first goals as director is to become more connected with both the Madison and Clark county communities to get more people involved with the park, Minerich said.
“Engagement in the local communities is the most important thing,” Minerich said. “I want to not only be involved with the chambers of commerce and the tourism groups, but I also want to be more involved with the school systems. I think it is very important to reach out and get young people involved with the park.”
Minerich also praised the Fort Boonesborough Foundation for its work, and said he can’t wait to work with them.
“The foundation is great. the work they do for us is amazing and we couldn’t do this without them,” Minerich said. “I got to see them in action at the Siege this weekend and I was very impressed.”
Minerich also previously served as executive director of the Frankfort Convention Center for the past four years.
He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Ethan, 16 and Evan, 9.
Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.
