For Mary Jaeger-Gale, the road to the top was paved with patience. She started as a high school English teacher in Michigan in 1971 and moved to Bat Cave in 1978. She took a job three years later as publicity and sales manager for Chimney Rock Park. The park, 25 miles southeast of Asheville, is known for its towering rock landmark overlooking Lake Lure and was owned by the Morse family beginning in 1902. Its president and general manager, starting in 1986, was Todd B. Morse. But last year, when the family sold the park to the state of North Carolina for $24 million, putting Chimney Rock in the hands of a new public-private partnership, Jaeger-Gale, the park’s longtime marketing VP, took over as general manager. She knew the ins and outs of running the park as well as anyone. She had even been on staff longer than Todd Morse. One challenge so far has been adapting to the new partnership with the state, which involves public funding and slower-moving government bureaucracy than the private operation she was part of before. Here, Jaeger-Gale, 58, offers pointers for women looking to find their calling.

Why did you switch from teaching to PR?
In the summer of ’81, Lucius Morse approached me about doing PR. I said I wasn’t thinking about a job, but he said come down and talk to me anyway. I said, ‘I don’t know anything about PR.’ He said: ‘You teach school, right? Then you do know a lot of PR.’ One of the most difficult things I’ve ever done is teach high school students to like Homer.

What do you like best about the job?
It’s a property I know and love, but it’s energizing to do something new. It’s exciting to be a part of something new for the state of North Carolina. This is a new model, a new way of thinking about state parks.

Did you switch offices when you took over as general manager?
I did clean out some things in my office… And I hired a new marketing manager. But people said—’Are you going to move back to the back office?’ I said, ‘Why would I? I feel very comfortable right here.’ Besides, I get to be in the middle of things and see people when they come in.

Does it feel any different to be manager?
It’s a much bigger responsibility. I feel a huge commitment to my associates. I also feel a responsibility to present a good image for the people of North Carolina—it’s their park.

Do you think the ticket prices are too high?
Over the 27 years I’ve been here, it’s increased as prices have increased. It’s been $14 for several years. When I started, it was $4, but gas was also 60 cents a gallon…The only thing I will do with the ticket price is keep it fair. We have an elevator inside the mountain. It takes admission prices to help take care of the park….We’re not in a position to make it be free. That would be crippling.

What advice would you give to a woman just starting out in her career?
Be persistent. I’ve heard several people describe me by saying, ‘If Jaeger wants something, she’ll keep beating the drum until she gets it.’