Staff Spotlight, Carl Moran
Carl Moran, Heavy Equipment Operator
Carl grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Upon graduation from high school, he established his own business and was engaged in roofing, construction, carpentry, plumbing and electrical maintenance. After 15 years as a busy self-employed handyman, he and his wife Marie moved to Bradenton in 1987. For the next 16 years, he worked in orange juice production for Tropicana. He then conducted maintenance on their refrigerated train cars for another 16 years. This was a real challenge as it involved building, modifying, welding and installing 300 gallon tank cars.
After 32 years, Carl retired from Tropicana and he and Marie spent four years exploring the country in their RV. In his words, “We touched all four corners of the U.S!” He especially enjoyed Alaska. They also spent time in upstate New York, Maine and California. Upon returning to Florida, they eventually began volunteering in Florida State Parks. After camp hosting at Highlands Hammock, they moved on to Wekiwa Springs where they ran the Youth Camp for one season. Carl was very much involved with special projects and the maintenance of buildings and trails. He also volunteered at Lake Manatee.
Carl later transitioned from being a resident volunteer at Highlands Hammock to becoming the OPS Heavy Equipment Operator. He is often on a tractor or skid steer clearing brush, removing vegetation and excavating fire lines throughout the park and at Lake June-in-Winter Scrub Preserve. Carl likes the solitude of working in the woods, but he is also by nature, a real “people person” who enjoys answering the questions of curious visitors. Carl truly loves the park and values the friendship of staff, volunteers and campers.
When not working, Carl may be found fishing, frogging and in general “on the water.” An avid angler, he is skilled at both salt water and fresh water fishing and is equally at home running his air boat or his new bass boat which he recently acquired.