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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 22, 2024
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov

Smith Mountain Lake State Park names new park manager

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Chris Fritze, Cammi Fritze and Gizmo)

HUDDLESTON, VA – Smith Mountain Lake State Park has named Chris Fritze as its new park manager. Fritze succeeds Brian Heft, who retired in February after serving as park manager for 32 years.

Fritze is a Scott County, Virginia, native and was first introduced to the opportunities at Virginia State Parks in 2017 while studying at UVA Wise. He served as an AmeriCorps member at Natural Bridge, where he learned about day-to-day park operations and how a park interacts with its community.

After graduating from UVA Wise in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in history, Fritze joined the Virginia Army National Guard. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and graduated as a military police officer.

In 2019, Fritze spent the summer as an intern at Fairy Stone and was hired as a full-time law enforcement ranger later that year. Fritze was promoted to chief law enforcement ranger at Natural Tunnel in 2021, and then, the following year, he returned to Natural Bridge as assistant park manager.

Fritze’s first day as park manager at Smith Mountain Lake will be March 25, 2024.

“I am excited to start this new chapter of my career with Virginia State Parks,” said Fritze. “I look forward to joining the Smith Mountain Lake community, connecting with visitors and working to preserve the park’s beauty and resources for generations to come.”

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Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit virginiastateparks.gov.

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