A veteran of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource's Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has been appointed as deputy secretary for conservation and technical services.

Effective this week, Cindy Adams Dunn will succeed Larry Williamson, who will now serve as a special advisor to DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis until Williamson's retirement in the spring. Replacing Dunn as the director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation is Brenda Barrett, who, most recently, was the national coordinator for heritage areas with the National Park Service.

"This is a strong team to support recreation, conservation, regional initiatives and land protection around the state," Secretary DiBerardinis said. "Larry, Cindy and Brenda's many years of experience, dedication and leadership - and their tremendous passion for establishing community partnerships to advance the greening of Pennsylvania - will help protect the commonwealth's natural and heritage resources, and provide recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians and visitors to enjoy."

Adams Dunn will oversee DCNR's bureaus of Recreation and Conservation and Topographic and Geologic Survey and serve a pivotal role in advancing the agency's mission to promote community recreation and conservation initiatives, and educate the public through geologic and topographic information and mapping.

Adams Dunn has served as the director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation since January 2005. Before that she was the director of DCNR's Office of Education, Communications and Partnerships.

Earlier in her career, Adams Dunn also served as the director of community relations and environmental education for DCNR, as the executive director and vice president of Audubon Pennsylvania, and led the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Harrisburg office for 10 years.

Adams Dunn holds master's and bachelor's degrees in biology from Shippensburg University. She lives in Hampden Township, Cumberland County, with her husband.

Barrett will be responsible for a variety of grant and technical assistance programs concerned with community recreation, heritage regions, rivers conservation, greenways and trails, and natural areas and open space.

Prior to joining the National Park Service, Barrett served in a number of positions with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, including director of Historic Preservation, and of Historic Sites and Museums.

Barrett holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Colorado, a master's in archeology from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

She lives in Harrisburg with her husband.

Williamson of Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, directed the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation for more than 20 years. He served as the deputy secretary since January 2005.

11/9/2007