Leadership

Red Mountain Park is owned and administered by the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission. In 2007, the Alabama legislature declared the Commission a state agency, giving it exclusive control over the park site. The Commission has oversight of every aspect of the planning and development of Red Mountain Park. Each of the 15 commissioners is selected by one of eight appointing bodies (the Governor of Alabama, the Mayor of Birmingham, the Jefferson County Commission, the Jefferson County Mayors Association, USS Real Estate, the Freshwater Land Trust and the Jefferson County legislative delegation, which appoints one member from the county’s Alabama House delegation and one from the state Senate).

The park’s operations are led by the Executive Director, David Dionne, and supported by the Park Staff. In addition, the park is supported by an active and growing volunteer organization, the Friends of Red Mountain Park. With more than 6,000 people connected by email and social media, this group provides support for various activities related to development of the park. Members of the organization assist with park tours, provide labor for the ongoing cleanups and preparation of trails and natural areaas, and take opportunties to promote the park in their neighborhoods and various community venues.

In this Section

View Park Planning Map

Check out the Phased Development Plan with our Interactive Map Viewer

Meet Red Mountain Park's Dedicated Staff

David Dionne

Executive Director

David’s long and successful experience with parks and trails makes him the ideal person to lead the startup of Red Mountain Park. A native of Maryland, his career as a park director began in 1987, when he became the first superintendent of the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail Park, where he spearheaded innovations in various aspects of park procedures and operations. As chief of trails and natural areas for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, David led development of a trail system recognized nationally and internationally as a model for operation and safety. From 2001 to 2005, he chaired the East Coast Greenway Alliance, a nonprofit organization with the mission of linking local trails from Maine to Florida in a continuous 2,900-mile route.

David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wild Lands Administration from West Virginia University. He also attended the Maryland Park Service Warden School and Maryland Forest, Park, and Wildlife Ranger School. He has hiked, mountain-climbed, and kayaked wilderness throughout the United States and has completed four professional development courses at Outward Bound schools in North Carolina and Maine.

A national leader in his field, David has long been a popular speaker at park and trail conferences throughout the country. Throughout his career, he has received national and international recognition for his ongoing work in developing trail operation policies and procedures, community-building programs and volunteer initiatives—all of which are critical components in the development plan for Red Mountain Park.

“

One of the reasons Red Mountain Park has such potential is that people around the Birmingham region—citizens, businesses, philanthropic groups—have embraced it with such enthusiasm. Everyone seems to see that this park can become a catalyst for dealing with a whole range of issues, from transportation to community development to public health. I’m very hopeful we can have that kind of role in the community.

”

Eric McFerrin

Park Ranger

Eric’s involvement with Red Mountain Park was sparked by his interest in the rich history of Birmingham and Red Mountain. A proponent of historic preservation and a confirmed “urban adventurer,” Eric was familiar with much of the park site long before becoming its first Park Ranger, and his knowledge of both the site and the history of the iron and steel industry in Birmingham has been invaluable to the process of identifying and documenting historic places and structures within the park’s confines.

Prior to joining Red Mountain Park, Eric was Director of Aircraft for Birmingham-based BE&K. He also is an active member of the Society of Industrial Archeology, a nonprofit, international organization dedicated to preserving industrial and technological heritage. Eric is a native of Florida.

“

I believe Red Mountain Park can be a unifying presence for Birmingham. Our park tells the story of 100 years of mining, railroads and ironmaking. My goal is to help educate the public about that history, and to memorialize and celebrate the people who made it.

”

Katie Sullivan

Projects Coordinator

Katie's focus at Red Mountain Park includes the areas of public relations and community outreach. She also manages park projects; one of her major projects is the Oral History Project, which also happens to be one of her favorite. Katie also directs the park's service projects with scouting and youth organizations.

Katie received her bachelor and masters degrees in Communication from the University of South Alabama. Prior to joining Red Mountain Park, she worked for two non-profit organizations in the areas of public relations and marketing. She volunteers often with youth programs, and currently serves as a Junior Board Member for Camp Smile-A-Mile.

“

Recreation in such a beautiful and significantly historic place will energize and enrich our community and region. The mountain that made so much possible for our city will once again hold a meaningful purpose.

”