With deep gratitude
Cassius Cash
File photo
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been blessed by the extraordinary leadership of Cassius Cash, the second-longest serving superintendent of our park. After 34 years of federal service, Cash retired at the end of December. He is owed a deep debt of gratitude for his 10 years as Superintendent in the Smokies.
Cash is a person with many outstanding leadership skills, always with creativity and a positive attitude no matter the challenges. There were many during his tenure with the Smokies, starting with the Chimneys fire that swept through Gatlinburg in November 2016. Next, the COVID pandemic caused the whole park to be shut down for a period, followed by a huge increase in visitation calling for a complete restructuring of park visitor usage and management planning.
Through these 10 years as superintendent, there were notable accomplishments including:
• The Walland to Wears Valley section of the Foothills Parkway.
• Enhanced relationships with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and surrounding communities.
• Studies of the park's history including the experiences of African Americans.
Related Items
Sen. Tillis should say no to Patel
Missing hiker found deceased in Smokies
Local youth renew Sylva skatepark conversation
Of truth and trust: Lack of accountability haunts charitable hurricane relief efforts
• A close working relationship with The Friends of the Smokies organization.
To me though, there are three attributes that will define his Smokies legacy the most and they are the development and establishment of the “Park it Forward” program. As the Smokies was one of the few national parks without an entrance fee and with the large increase in visitation, it was essential to develop an additional funding source. Thus, this was the impetus for the “Park it Forward” program which Cash was able to deftly maneuver through existing park regulations and the federal bureaucracy.
Secondly, has been his support and development of the Smokies employees. Their safety and wellbeing were paramount and he stressed that they have the training and resources to do their jobs as well as develop skills for promotion within the park service.
Finally, Cash has a deep passion for our public lands and their preservation while working in partnership with surrounding communities. This has ensured and enhanced the visitor experience for those visiting the Smokies.
Superintendent Cassius Cash is a unique individual and the Smokies were indeed fortunate to have had him as their leader these past 10 years. If asked to summarize his tenure in a few words, I would say, “He got things done.”
We wish him well in his new career as Chief Executive Officer of the Yosemite Conservancy.
(Stephen W. Woody lives in Asheville and is a descendant of the former residents of Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.)
