Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Friday named Shea Lewis as secretary of the state Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism and director of state parks.
Lewis fills a vacancy left by the resignation of Mike Mills in June after less than six months on the job as secretary. Sanders had appointed Lewis as interim secretary.
“Shea’s record of strong leadership promoting Arkansas state parks and outdoor recreation uniquely qualifies him to be Secretary of Parks, Heritage and Tourism,” the governor said in a news release. “I look forward to continuing to work with him to grow Arkansas tourism, elevate our 52 beautiful state parks, and make the Natural State the best place not only to visit, but live, work and raise a family.”
Then-Gov. Asa Hutchinson tapped Lewis to lead state parks in January 2022, leaving him in charge of the day-to-day operation of 52 state parks in 48 counties.
Lewis had worked for the agency, a division of the state Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism, for 24 years. He was previously the deputy director, a position he held since 2017.
Lewis began his career with Arkansas State Parks as a seasonal interpreter at Millwood State Park and Village Creek State Park before becoming a full-time interpreter at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park and Crowley’s Ridge State Park.
He was promoted to superintendent at Parkin Archeological State Park in 2004 and then served as a regional supervisor for eight years.
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