New Chattahoochee River NRA Superintendent Named

Bill Cox has been named superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), a unit of the National Park Service managing 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River north of Atlanta, an announcement said.

A native of the Atlanta with roots in the Roswell area, Cox began his career in natural resource management with the National Park Service as a park ranger at Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments in Flagstaff, Arizona.

He later served with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dallas and Atlanta. From 2009-2011, he served as the assistant superintendent at Zion National Park in Utah. His most recent position before coming to Chattahoochee River was managing EPA’s wetlands, coastal and ocean programs in the southeast.

“I consider it a privilege to return to the National Park Service where I began my public service career,” said Cox. “This 48-mile stretch of river is an incredible resource we have here in the metropolitan Atlanta area and I look forward to working together with community partners and stakeholder groups for its preservation, stewardship and wise use.”

Cox’s roots in the Roswell area extend back to 1840 when his ancestors arrived in the Roswell area to farm. As a youngster he attended camp at what is now the Island Ford Unit of CRNRA where he now offices. 

He later attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical geography, and subsequently completed a master's degree at the University of Arizona.

During his career, he has lived in various locations in the West, including Arizona, California and Texas, before finally returning to Roswell. He and his wife Mary have three daughters, the youngest of which is a senior at Roswell High School.

Provided by Rudy Evenson, Park Information Officer, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.