Staff Spotlight, David Trogdon
David grew up in Western Palm Beach County and attended Palm Beach Junior College and several technical schools. He received a plethora of certifications including HVAC, refrigeration and construction management. Through his extended family, he learned about cattle and hog operations, land management, commercial fishing, construction, automotive repair and heavy equipment operation. He is a naturally gifted technician who gained a great deal of experience while working as a teenager alongside family and friends. Highlands Hammock is well served by his knowledge, skills and abilities.
When he came to Highlands Hammock in 2019, David initially worked as a tractor operator and a park ranger. He became the park maintenance specialist in 2022. Although maintenance is challenging due to the park’s aging infrastructure, David thoughtfully examines problems and finds creative solutions. In addition to maintenance, he is thoroughly involved with prescribed fire. He is a “team builder” who acknowledges staff and volunteer efforts and generously shares accolades.
David’s resume is impressive. He worked in Palm Beach, Glades, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Highlands counties and was involved in heavy equipment operation, refrigeration, maintenance supervision, project administration, emergency shelters, land management and citrus operations. He also worked at Buck Island Ranch and was there during the transition of management from the MacArthur Foundation to Archbold Biological Station. On weekends, he was busy working cattle, clearing land and commercial fishing.
As a seventh generation Floridian whose Cracker origins precede statehood in 1845, David has researched family histories in Glades and Okeechobee counties and coastal family histories in Lake Worth, Lantana, Boynton Beach and Key Largo. He has a deep appreciation of Florida culture and a strong affinity for the terrain, from scrub to swamp to agricultural lands. He truly believes in the Florida Park Service mission and feels it is important for people to experience “old Florida.” He thrives on being in the woods or on the water. When not working, he can be found fishing, frogging and spending time with his family.