Armstrong appoints Tony Hillig to serve as director of North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong today appointed Tony Hillig, recreation division chief for the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, to serve as the department’s director, effective immediately.
Hillig has served as chief of the department’s recreation division since December 2020, providing statewide leadership for recreation grants, trail management, motorized recreation and safety programs while supervising professional staff and serving on the agency’s leadership team. He previously served as the department’s motorized recreation coordinator.
Prior to joining Parks and Recreation in 2019, Hillig served over 25 years in the U.S. Army. During his final five years of service, he served in senior command sergeant major roles at Fort Carson, Colorado, progressing from brigade-level leadership to a division-level position. A native of Bismarck, he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy (Alabama) University.
“With more than 32 years in the military and state government, Tony has proven to be a strong and capable leader and problem-solver. Under his guidance, Parks and Recreation will continue to provide the high level of service and quality outdoor experiences our citizens have come to know and expect,” Armstrong said. “We appreciate his willingness to continuing serving the public and his passion for the important role our state parks play in making North Dakota the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
North Dakota has 14 state parks and recreation areas, including Pembina Gorge State Park, which officially opened in June – the first new state park to open since 1989. The Parks and Recreation Department currently has a two-year budget of $62 million and is authorized for 76 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, in addition to employing approximately 400 seasonal workers annually.
“I appreciate Gov. Armstrong giving me the opportunity to continue my public service and lead the talented and highly dedicated team at the Parks and Recreation Department," Hillig said. "North Dakota is blessed with a beautifully diverse and highly accessible system of parks and recreation areas, and I look forward to building on past successes and addressing future challenges to ensure these special places are well-maintained for generations to come.”
Hillig succeeds Cody Schulz, who has assumed the role of chief financial officer in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Schulz had served as Parks and Recreation director since October 2021.
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