State Parks Continues Reorganization
As Part of Cost-Saving Plan

New Leaders in San Luis Obispo Coast

SAN LUIS OBISPO - California State Parks today announced that veteran superintendent Nick Franco will become head of the new San Luis Obispo Coast District, one of the new expanded districts created under the department's cost-saving reorganization plan.

The Department also announced that Hoyt Fields is being promoted from Chief Curator to Museum Director at Hearst Castles as part of the reorganization.

Since the beginning of the year, California State Parks has been taking a number of steps to reduce costs, including eliminating positions both at headquarters and in the field. It also developed a plan to reduce the number of districts it operates from 23 to 18, saving in administrative and other costs.

Part of reorganization included creation of the new larger San Luis Obispo Coast District, which now encompasses the old San Simeon District.

Franco, named as superintendent of the new district, has five years of experience as superintendent at Angel Island State Park in San Francisco Bay, working on significant cultural facilities, managing a major restoration project of the Angel Island Immigration Station, and working with local, county, state and federal partners. He also has previous work experience at State Historic Parks, Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area and Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

"Nick is poised to take Hearst Castle® to the next step," said Kirk Sturm, Chief of Northern Division of State Parks who most recently headed the San Luis Obispo Coast District. "He values communications, improvement, and working with stakeholders."

Franco graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a B.A. in Political Science. His wife, Caroline, is a former Guide at Hearst Castle®.

Fields grew up on a ranch between Cayucos and Cambria. After attending school in Cambria, he continued his education at Cuesta College and California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

He is on the Board of Directors and is Vice President of the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council and on the Board of Directors for the San Luis Obispo County Visitors and Conference Bureau. He has worked at Hearst Castle® for more than three decades, and since late May, has been leading the district on an interim basis.

"Hoyt has done a wonderful job helping State Parks become a national leader with cultural resources and museum collections," said Ruth Coleman, Acting Director of California State Parks. "Hoyt's diverse experience makes him the perfect person to oversee the stewardship of one of America's premiere house museums."

For energy efficient recreation - California State Parks on the Internet: http://www.parks.ca.gov