Director Of California State Parks Announces Retirement

(AP) -- California's state parks director has abruptly announced his retirement, just 19 months after he took control of a department that had been rocked by years of fiscal mismanagement.

Anthony Jackson, a retired Marine Corps major general, made the announcement Wednesday. He said in a statement that his tenure "has been a challenging, but ultimately fulfilling" one.

Calls to the department and resources agency seeking a further explanation were not immediately returned. Jackson's retirement is effective June 30.

Left unfinished is the major initiative launched during his tenure, a commission that was assessing the department's operations and was due to make recommendations. It has another year of meetings remaining.

Jackson took office after the previous director resigned following disclosures that the department kept $54 million hidden in two special funds.