Board of Directors
Shea Niemann
President
Shea Niemann is a native Marylander, born in Prince George's County. He graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. Ranger Niemann is a father of two beautiful girls and one wild son. He loves the outdoors and cooking.
Ranger Niemann has worked within the Maryland Park Service for 19 years:
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3 Years as Program Coordinator for Outdoor Discovery Summer Camps (Residential Summer camps for MD Park Service)
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4 Years as Enrichment Coordinator for Conservation Jobs Corps Program (6 week summer program for "underserved youth")
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3 Years as a Ranger at Patapsco Valley State Park.
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3 years as Assistant Manager at Seneca Creek State Park.
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6 Years as Seneca Creek State Park Manager
Christopher Grieco
Vice President
Chris Grieco is the Assistant Park Manager for both Fair Hill NRMA and Bohemia River State Park, and he is honored and humbled to serve as the first civilian Vice President for the Maryland Rangers Association. Ranger Grieco began his MPS career in 2008 as a member of the Maryland Conservation Corps where he completed two years of service on the Tuckahoe State Park crew. During these two years he gained valuable experience and training, developed relationships with current and retired rangers, and decided to pursue a full-time career as a Maryland Park Ranger.
Ranger Grieco secured his first classified position in 2011 at Rocks and Susquehanna State Park. In 2012 he graduated from Ranger School, taking an oath to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore Maryland's natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources. After three years, he promoted to Assistant Park Manager at Fair Hill NRMA where he has spent the past 6 and a half years. Ranger Grieco has been a member of the Maryland Rangers Association since 2020, the year civilian staff became eligible to join as active members.
Ranger Grieco values his role as it affords him the opportunity to be make impactful decisions at his home park while continuing to serve in a field operation's role. Just like most rangers, some of his favorite days at work are the shifts immediately following storm events...which we have experienced in increasing numbers of late. In these days we may see our parks a bit broken and disorganized, our staffs may be stressed out and feeling overworked, but the transformative clean-up effort that ensues demonstrates the strength and resiliency of our agency.
Ranger Grieco enjoys living in Fair Hill - located in Cecil County - with his wife, Brenna, and their son, Walden. The trio frequently hike, run, and recreate on the 80+ miles of trails just out their doorstep, but they do visit many of the State's other parks to catch a glimpse of what fellow rangers are up to.
Alyssa Myers
Acting Secretary
Alyssa Myers grew up in Central Maryland going camping every chance she got and living life roaming the woods and streams around the Patapsco River. Ranger Myers graduated from Salisbury University in 2009 with a degree in Exercise Science, and a minor in Outdoor Education with focus thesis on providing outdoor recreation opportunities to those needing physical adaptations. While there she was the president of the Outdoor Club, worked at the Beyond the Limits teambuilding and challenge course, and worked summers as a secretary for the Curriculum Department of Carroll County Public Schools.
In 2011 Ranger Myers graduated from the Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy, and a final thesis focus on the lasting impact people have on areas that have become Soldiers Delight NEA, and Hart Miller and Assateague State Parks.
Other past lives include being a substitute teacher, an educator for Audubon Watershed Experience, Salisbury University Recruiter/Admissions Counselor, and Maryland Coastal Bays canoe rental/guide.
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In 2009 Ranger Myers joined the Maryland Park Service working for Outdoor Discovery (rolled into CJC) and worked as a Naturalist Coach until 2011 when she earned a classified position at Patapsco Valley State Park. She has been with Patapsco ever since, becoming the Park Ranger Supervisor in 2015.
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When not at working she can be found in the garden or with daughter Aurelia and dogs running amok outdoors.
Holly Bennett
Treasurer
Holly Bennett III is a retired LEO Ranger from the Maryland Park Service. Ranger Bennett started his career in 1979, after being Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps, as a Seasonal Ranger in the McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park. There he worked as a Conservation Aide at the Hilton Maintenance Complex and Hollofield Area for two years before he was promoted to Park Ranger in 1983. Holly completed his Associates of Arts degree in Parks & Recreation Management from Catonsville Community College in 1981 and his Bachelor of Science in Resource Management from University of Maryland College Park in 1983. In 1991 Holly was promoted to the Substance Abuse Unit and worked out of Headquarters conducting drug enforcement operations and education programs statewide. Assignments at Headquarters included Firearms Training, Beach Management, In-service Training and Criminal & Internal Investigations. He retired in 2007 and was given a contractual position to return to the Park Service in the capacity to conduct Firearms Training for the remaining LEO Rangers and Civilian Wildlife Management Program.
In 2008 Holly was recruited as a LTC for the Coach Position at Patapsco in the new CJC Program. He assisted in the program development, training of CJC Crew Chiefs and creating program policies and procedures and has continued to work in the CJC program to this day. Holly has been an active member and board member of the Maryland Rangers Association since its inception holding positions such as Regional Representative, Secretary and is the current Treasurer.
Holly feels his greatest accomplishment was his work with the dedicated group of Firearms Instructors who shaped the firearm training programs for the Law Enforcement Rangers of the Park Service. This group worked to standardize the training, maintain the proficiency and skills, and continually update both procedures and equipment ensuring the Maryland LEO Rangers were always trained and equipped to the highest standards.
Holly lives in Ellicott City with his wife Janine. They have two children and three grandchildren. Holly loves to travel in their little motorhome to visit friends and explore new places.
Angie Hummer
Past President
Angie Hummer started her park career as a seasonal at Elk Neck State Park. She worked there for three years in the tollbooth, camp office and as a seasonal ranger. Angie was hired as a full-time ranger in 1990. She worked as a ranger at Sandy Point and Elk Neck State Parks. She was promoted to Sergeant, Area Manager at Greenbrier State Park in 1995. Angie spent 25 years of her career teaching Maryland State Park employees and volunteers First Aid and CPR.
Angie retired as a Park Ranger Lieutenant from the Maryland Park Service after 30 years in December of 2019. Her last assignment was Park Manger at Fort Frederick State Park Complex (2005-2019). Angie held the position of president of the Maryland Rangers Association for ten years and will continue to assist the board as “past president”. Angie holds a Bachelors Degree from Salisbury State University in Leisure Studies and a Master's Degree from Frostburg State University in Park and Recreation Administration.
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Angie is active in her community. She is a life member of United Fire Company in Frederick, Maryland where she has served as Secretary for the past 17 years. She serves on the Hagerstown Washington County Convention of Visitors Bureau Executive Board. She also serves on the Federal C&O Canal Commission.
Angie was born and raised in Elkton, Maryland. In her spare time Angie enjoys making wine and quilts and volunteering for Lab Rescue. Angie lives in Boonsboro, Maryland with her Husband Karl and her Labrador Retrievers Ranger and Tonto.
