The retired marine will lead the troubled department that has been embroiled in scandals over hidden assets and questionable vacation payouts.

Jackson says he will operate the department with "absolute integrity."

Jackson: "I want to win the trust of the people of the state of California, I want to win the trust of each employee within the department, and the Governor's Office and the Secretary's Office. I want people to know that every nickel every dime will be honestly handled within the department."

Jackson says he has no plans to close any of the 280 parks in California.

But he added that he intends to do a complete analysis of all them.

Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird says a complete audit of the parks department is expected by the end of the year.