Barnes and Baum Join Friends of Jockey’s Ridge Board of Directors

Friends of Jockey’s Ridge welcomes board members George Barnes and Ann-Cabell Baum. Board members help plan, support, and promote events and fundraising campaigns, as well as approve financial assistance to support and maintain the programs and facilities at the Park.

George Barnes
George Barnes was the first superintendent of Jockey’s Ridge State Park, established by the state legislature in 1975. Originally from Lumberton, North Carolina  George states “I have always enjoyed the beaches down in South Carolina and North Carolina.”

A graduate of  UNC Wilmington and Lumberton High School, George began his career with NC State Parks as a park ranger at Goose Creek State Park. When offered the job as the ranger in charge at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, George said he “jumped at the opportunity”.  George worked at Jockey’s as park superintendent for over 30 years.

George says “I consider myself very lucky to have worked with Carolista [Baum] in protecting JORI but also lucky enough to live and work at Jockey’s Ridge which I consider one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world.” George brings a wealth of historical knowledge and hands-on park experience to the board.

Ann-Cabell Baum
Ann-Cabell Baum’s strong connection to Jockey’s Ridge began at a young age. In  the summer of 1973 Ann-Cabell and her two siblings were playing on the dune and ran home to report to their mother that there was a bulldozer taking sand off the back of the dune.

Ann-Cabell recalls her mother, Carolista, “went back to the ridge, confronted the operator of the machine and demanded that it be shut down,” she said. “The bulldozer operator left, and mom removed the distributor cap and with that, began the movement to save Jockey’s Ridge from development,” she said.

“Jockey’s Ridge was preserved to be a scenic and natural landmark for ‘The People.’” said Ann-Cabell. She is thrilled to join the Friends of Jockey’s Ridge to continue to help serve this mission.