Michael WurzelMichael Wurzel has been named executive director for Friends of Moccasin Bend, the advocacy group that supports the ongoing development of a national park on the historic site.
Most recently, the Friends group has asked the Chattanooga and Hamilton County governments to move their joint police firing range on Moccasin Bend and pass the land on to the National Park Service.
Wurzel replaces longtime leader Shelley Andrews, who retired early this year.
Wurzel previously served as land steward for the Lula Lake Land Trust on Lookout Mountain, as conservation director for the Southeastern Climbers Coalition Land Trust and on citizen forester workshops for Chattanooga's Department of Urban Forestry.
Wurzel graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he studied environmental policy. He earned a master's degree in biological and environmental science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Dan Saieed, the group's president, said Wurzel was the best guy for the job.
"We are extremely pleased to have Michael at the lead in our work with the National Park Service on developing outstanding visitor experiences and facilities on Moccasin Bend," Saieed said. "With a passion for the outdoors and for local history, and a strong foundation in environmental and land conservation, he brings outstanding skills and enthusiasm to our mission."