PHOENIX – Arizona’s new state parks director was once disciplined for etching her name into a historic adobe barn she was responsible for preserving, but still has wide support from the parks board, which calls her a dynamic professional.
Renee Bahl is set to take over as director of state parks next month after being unanimously selected by the Arizona State Parks Board. The 40-year-old is a former assistant Arizona parks director who has led parks and recreation for San Diego County, Calif. since 2002.
The 1999 incident happened while she oversaw historic preservation at the San Rafael Ranch in southeastern Arizona. Another employee caught her etching her first name and the year into the wall of the barn. Bahl was disciplined but remained in her job.