Armstrong appoints new leader at North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota’s Parks and Recreation Department has a new leader at the helm. Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced Thursday the immediate appointment of Tony Hillig as the agency’s full-time director.

Hillig, a Bismarck native and U.S. Army veteran, moves into the top spot after serving as chief of the department’s recreation division since December 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.

“With more than 32 years in the military and state government, Tony has proven to be a strong and capable leader and problem-solver,” Armstrong said in a statement, noting that Hillig’s background will help maintain high-quality outdoor experiences across the state.

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—the state’s first new park since 1989—bringing the total to 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.

Taking over the state’s outdoor infrastructure, Hillig expressed enthusiasm for preserving and expanding access to North Dakota’s public lands.

“North Dakota is blessed with a beautifully diverse and highly accessible system of parks and recreation areas,” Hillig said. “I look forward to building on past successes and addressing future challenges to ensure these special places are well-maintained for generations to come.”