(KNOX/Flag Family Media) –North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong announced the immediate appointment of Tony Hillig as the full-time director of the State’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Hillig is a Bismarck native and U.S. Army veteran. He is becoming the director after serving as chief of the department’s recreation division since 2020. He steps into the role following the departure of Cody Schulz, who recently transitioned to chief financial officer for the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation after leading the parks system since late 2021.
Hillig’s history with the agency dates back to 2019, when he initially joined as the motorized recreation coordinator before taking over the recreation division. In that role, he managed statewide recreation grants, trail systems, and safety programs. Before entering state government, Hillig served more than 25 years in the U.S. Army, finishing his military career in senior command sergeant major positions at Fort Carson, Colorado. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University.
The leadership transition comes during a period of expansion for the department. North Dakota recently opened Pembina Gorge State Park in June, which is the state’s first new park since 1989. This means there are now a total of 14 state parks and recreation areas. The agency currently operates on a $62 million two-year budget, supporting 76 full-time staff and roughly 400 seasonal employees each year.
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