Meet the Rockers

Emily Walker
Director/General Manager

A career as a naturalist, educator, and a lifetime of loving the outdoors brought Emily, an Atlanta native, to Chimney Rock in 2005. Emily enjoys spending time hiking with her family and wrangling a menagerie of animals. Her favorite spot in the Park is Peregrine’s Point on the Skyline Trail where she can sometimes spot falcons riding the updrafts.

Mary Jaeger-Gale
Chairman of the Board

Mary came to the Park in 1981 and never left! Mary loves to travel, meet new people, and experience and learn new things. Being outside, golfing, hiking and cycling with her husband and friends, and gardening are some of her other post-work hobbies. Her favorite spot in the Park is Pulpit Rock thanks to the view of the Gorge and the Lake.

Joey Allen
Director of Operations

Joey joined our team in 2007. Since becoming the Director of Ops in 2015, he keeps the Park running for guests and staff alike. In his spare time he likes hiking and spending time with his wife and two daughters. His favorite spot in the Park is the top of Hickory Nut Falls.

Darla Bartlett
Director of Human Resources and Safety

As a team member at Chimney Rock since 2009, Darla gets to combine her passion for people-focused cultures with the mountains she loves. On weekends you can find her at local restaurants, farm stands, and craft shops exploring her hobbies. Although it’s not a traditional favorite, Darla loves the views and chats with guests along the Outcroppings Trail.

Talia Davis
Human Resources Generalist

A fifth-generation local, Talia grew up just 10 miles away and began working at the Old Rock Cafe in 2002, where she met her husband over a basket of chicken tenders. Nowadays, she works in the Park and enjoys the ever-changing mountain and lake views. She loves traveling with her family and spending time on her farm with her Highland cows. Her favorite place in the Park is Pulpit Rock, especially in early spring or fall.

Zach Warner
Maintenance Manager

Zach started working in the Park as a trail guide back in 2013, where he found the opportunity to work outside and hike all day were pretty great job perks. Zach likes hanging out with his family and friends, often golfing or hiking. His favorite spot in the Park is Exclamation Point!

Will Crook
Controller

Will took on the Park as a client back in 2005 when it was owned by the Morse family and came on board full time two years later. In his spare time, Will likes flying the small airplane he built himself around the country and enjoying adventures at sea with his wife and their Australian Shepherd, Sadie. His favorite spot in the Park is looking down at the Gorge from Exclamation Point.

Brenda Terwilliger
Retail Manager

Brenda started working at the Park in 2021 after she retired from her corporate career. Her free time is spent enjoying her fur babies and chickens, kayaking, and fishing. Though it’s hard to narrow it down to just one favorite spot in the Park, her best memories are of playing and hiking on the Great Woodland Adventure with her grandkids.

Margeau Lance
Education and Trails Manager

Margeau began visiting the Park when her dad worked here in the early 2000s and grew up seeing the area transition into the state park it is today. She has always had a love of wildlife and the outdoors, and now she gets to educate others about the environment and work with the Park’s animal ambassadors every day. Outside of work, Margeau has a passion for traveling, especially anywhere tropical. Her favorite spot in the park is Exclamation Point.

Roy Haas
Ticket Plaza Manager

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Roy got a job doing photography on cruise ships. Ten years and sixty three countries later he decided to hang up his sea legs. A background in attractions and a love of the outdoors has made Chimney Rock the perfect fit for him since he returned to the area. His favorite thing about working in the Park is spending time with his coworkers.

Jeep Apel
Old Rock Café Manager

Jeep has spent his career working in various facets of the food and beverage industry. Managing kitchens, dining rooms, wine bars, and catering events prepared him to join the Old Rock Café in 2022. He enjoys gardening, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife and two daughters. His favorite spot in the park is at the foot of the Hickory Nut Falls.  

Maddy Kaniewski
Communications and Promotions Specialist

Maddy has a range of marketing and design experience in community engagement, public radio, and higher education. After moving from Texas to western North Carolina, she wanted to combine her communication skills with a love of the outdoors. Outside of work, Maddy enjoys knitting, woodworking, and hiking. Her favorite place in the park is along the Rocky Broad Riverwalk.