Larry Joe Ferris, Maintenance Mechanic
Larry Joe Ferris has worked at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park for over five years now. Prior to working for the Florida Park Service, Larry Joe owned and operated his own landscaping business for 30 years. After three years as a retiree, Larry Joe decided he was ready to get back to work.
He started his time at Topsail in 2016 as OPS maintenance focusing mostly in the cabin area and worked his way up to his current role of maintenance mechanic overseeing the entire park.
When it comes to knowledge of the inner workings of Topsail, Larry Joe is always the go-to. He keeps Topsail running whether it involves vehicles, cabins, campsites or even less glamorous lift stations. No matter the job, Larry Joe always has a smile on his face while doing it.
Larry Joe Ferris is integral to the operation of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. His knowledge is endless, and his positive attitude is infectious. No matter how busy he is, Larry Joe always takes time to make sure everyone is comfortable with the task at hand and the techniques needed to complete them.
Larry Joe would tell you that his favorite part of his job is teaching other people new skills. Everyone could learn something from him — and likely has!
Though he is no longer in charge of cabin support, Larry Joe is still the driving force of the park’s cabin operation. He keeps all cabins and bungalows in working order and knows them all inside and out. This is no small task with 34 of them in total! Without Larry Joe’s knowledge and skills, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park could not possibly run as smoothly as it does.
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