Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials today announced that John S. Hallas, former park manager of the Tobyhanna State Park Complex, has been named manager of Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County.

“John gained invaluable experience in whitewater boating operations while serving as assistant manager of Hickory Run, Lehigh Gorge and Nescopeck state parks,” said Bureau of State Parks Director Roger Fickes. “His qualifications after serving at that park complex in Carbon and Luzerne counties are an excellent match for the challenges he faces at Ohiopyle.”

Hallas will oversee a state park of 19,052 acres that is the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. More than 25 miles of the Youghiogheny River pass through the heart of the park, offering some of the best whitewater boating in the Eastern United States.

“I’m extremely honored to manage a park where rugged natural beauty, large size, diverse recreational activities and whitewater boating excursions on the Youghiogheny River all combine to offer park visitors a spectacular outdoor experience,” Hallas said. “ I am looking forward to managing this outstanding and challenging resource, and working with groups and individuals who are invested in the success of Ohiopyle.” Hallas replaces Douglas V. Hoehn who retired earlier this summer.

He began his career with the Bureau of State Parks in 2000, first serving as a park manager trainee at the bureau’s Region 3 Office in Schellsburg, Bedford County. Assignments included Canoe Creek State Park Complex, based in Blair County, and Prince Gallitzin State Park in Cambria County. Most recently he managed the Tobyhanna State Park in Monroe County.

Hallas, 36, a native of Munhall, Allegheny County, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with bachelor’s degrees in both nature sciences and anthropology.

A veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Hallas served as a sergeant with the U.S. Army in Field Artillery and Infantry units, with assignments at Fort Bragg, N. C., and Schofield Barracks, H.I. He was honorably discharged with seven years of active duty service in 1993.

For more information on Ohiopyle and Pennsylvania’s other 116 state parks, call 1-888-PA-PARKS between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday; or visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.