NEWS: THE FUTURE OF THEME PARKS THE NEXT GENERATION.
JackTheRipper
Natasha Emmons
4,279 words
12 November 2001
Amusement Business
19
ISSN: 0003-2344; Volume 113; Issue 45
English
Copyright 2001 Gale Group Inc. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT 2001 VNU
Business Media
Profiles Of Tomorrow's Leaders
Prof. Ralph Barnett, Lyndall De Marco, Walt Disney, Tae Hak Her, Bill
Koch, Dick Rohrbach and Gary Story. This is not Amusement Business'
list of Tomorrow's Leaders. But without these mentors, the 12 on our
inaugural list below might not have been inspired to reach the heights
they have in the business.
There are also 19 kids and spouses factored in to this formula for
success. And plenty of time spent biking, fishing, playing tennis,
sailing, travel, scuba diving, golfing and snowboarding.
"They have a more casual way of doing business," said Wendi Dykes,
training and development manager at Legoland California in Carlsbad of
the generation of management now in their early 40's or younger.
This comfortable style is carried over into casual dress and a work
philosophy that focuses more on getting the job done rather than the
number of hours put in, Dykes said. As a result of more free time, the
generation is involved in more outside activities, which makes for
more balanced human beings, she said.
"Even just meetings are a little more informal -- just coffee shop
meetings or 'let's just grab a bite to eat in the park and talk
something instead of having a formal 2 o'clock meeting in my office
and close the door,'" Dykes said.
And the style works. Under the proudest accomplishments of our picks
are the opening of new parks, leadership in amusement trade
associations, accolades from the public and moving their companies
forward in the business world.
Their future goals are even loftier, and more profitable for the
companies lucky enough to employ these young go-getters. They include
expanding their chain of parks, increasing the efficiency and
profitability of their companies, leading the committees that will
govern the industry -- nothing less than world domination.
Most of these present and future leaders have concerns about the
economy and the effect of terrorism on travel, but they still think
it's the greatest business in the world when they see the smiles on
the faces of the public.
Some have practical advice for the even younger generation that
follows in their footsteps, but most just say to "follow your dream"
and don't be afraid to try something new.
One of the biggest lessons all of these success stories carry -- the
best place to learn is on the job and the best way to learn is through
freedom and encouragement.
Disney -- a company with a lot of young, successful talent -- lets its
employees be free to be creative, said Steven Davison, creative
director, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. That is the biggest benefit of
growing his career at Disney, he said. His success is due to his
ability to learn by rote, he said. "Trust is a big part of it,"
Davison said. "It's a dreamers company I think young people have a
tendency to dream more. They're not stuck in their ways."
Samsung Everland, Kyonggi-Do, Korea, which has an award-winning
employee recognition program, puts a lot of time and effort into
growing its employees. The organizational hierarchy has become more
flat, said Kenneth Kim, manager of strategic planning at Samsung
Everland in Kyonggi-do, Korea. "We want to be partners with our people
working for us instead of being a boss. That helps us generate more
ideas and work as a team," he said. "We are trying to initiate service
leadership in a service industry."
Everland works to create boundaries, then allow employees to be
creative within those boundaries rather than telling them what to do,
which helps develop leaders, Kim said.
That kind of faith in their ability fostered the enthusiasm of most of
AB's outstanding picks. Brian D. King, a successful mechanical
engineer and safety instructor in the business, was inspired by an
engineer that worked at the park where King worked as a teenager and
picked King out as the only partner he would work with.
"Pretty soon I was hanging from ski lift tower making $4 an hour, and
this engineer's making $40 and swinging from the other end of the
tower, and I said, 'You know what, I can do his job.'" And King went
to school for engineering.
One of our picks, Ann-Maree O'Neill, human resources manager for the
Warner Village Theme Parks in Australia, was inducted into the Gold
Coast Tourism Hall of Fame for making this on-the-job training into an
official program.
O'Neill got the idea from her friend, Lyndall De Marco, who
established a training college with the Pan Pacific Hotel chain.
"Lyndall inspired me to see the theme parks as a classroom, a place
where lot of people had their first job. This led me to extend this
principle and develop a Theme Park traineeship where not only could
young people gain skills and experience in this industry, but also
receive a nationally recognized qualification." O'Neill said.
TIM BLACK
VP/GM Six FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE, JACKSON, NJ.
AGE: 36
In his nearly 20 years with the company, Black has not met a challenge
he wasn't up for He was sent to Agawam, Mass., to help prepare sleepy
Little Riverside Park for its transformation into Six Flags New
England. In addition to introducing new rides, shows and attractions,
he directed a massive branding effort that included the addition of
the Looney Tunes characters. In September, he was appointed head of
Six Flags Great Adventure, the world's most-attended seasonal park.
Education: B.S. Human Resources Management, LaSalle University,
Mandeville, La.
First break in business: Part-time position while in school at
Frontier City, Oklahoma City, Okia. "It gave me the opportunity to
fall in love with business and I have never looked back."
Most inspired by: "Gary Story [now president of Six Flags] was the
single most-important motivator in my life. I have learned the
business from him and have learned how important it is to have a
vision."
Proudest accomplishment: The branding of Riverside Park, Agawam, Mass,
to Six Flags New England.
Latest achievement: Six Flags having enough faith and trust in me to
put me in charge of the largest park, by number of rides [751, in the
world."
Downtime: Local and regional travel with wife and two children,
travelling to Hawaii with wife, and reading current events and
business philosophy.
Biggest concern about industry: How it holds up under the intense
scrutiny about safety "Accidents are not increasing, but media
awareness is and that is not good public perception of our
facilities."
Best reason to be in this business: "We manufacture fun and have a lot
of fun doing it. Where else can you build an $18 million-roller
coaster and get to be the first to ride it?"
Next great achievement: "To build a strong team at Six Flags Great
Adventure that knows how to deliver the product in a guest friendly
manner."
Advice for next generation: "Get more involved in organizations
outside of your specific company. Get involved in the leadership of
the IAAPA and be willing to share your knowledge with others."
STEWART CLARK
* Director of Zoological operations at Discovery Cove in Orlando
* Age: 39
As director of zoological operations for Discovery Cove, Clark is
responsible for all of the park's animals, including mammals, fish and
birds. He also oversees the zoological staff. A Sea World animal
trainer for more than 15 years, Clark has worked with a variety of
animals in Anheuser-Busch adventure parks in Cleveland, San Diego,
Tampa and Orlando.
Education: B.A. in organizational behavior, National Louis University,
in Chicago.
First break in business: Took a job as a temporary trainer with killer
whales-and dolphins at SeaWorld Ohio in 1985 and decided to stay on.
Most inspired by: The SeaWorld parks, animals and zoos.
Proudest accomplishment: Being part of the opening team of Discovery
Cove and being chosen to head up the animal end of the park.
Latest achievement: Successfully opening Discovery Cove and setting
new attendance records.
Downtime: Riding bikes and fishing with his two kids.
Biggest concern about industry: "That, in light of the recent
terrorist tragedies, people will deny themselves and their families
the opportunity to travel."
Best reason to be in this business: "Seeing the customers' faces and
talking to people after the shows and seeing how you can really touch
them."
Next great achievement: Expansion of Discovery Cove into other areas
of the United States
Advice for the next generation: Follow your dreams of what you truly
want to work with, follow your gut feeling of what you really want to
do with your life.
STEVEN DAVISON
* CREATIVE DIRECTOR, DISNEYLAND RESORT, ANAHEIM CALIF.
* AGE: 37
According to Doug McIntyre, director of development and production,
Disney Entertainment Production, Davison is an incredible creative
force on the Disneyland Resort Entertainment Team.
"His creations consistently receive the highest ratings in guest
satisfaction here at the Resort. Steve has created many live
entertainment spectaculars including Small World Holiday, Believe...
There's Magic in the Stars, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and, coming this
holiday season, LuminAria. These and other projects have entertained
millions of Disneyland Resort guests and will continue to delight them
for years to come."
Education: Attended California State University, Long Beach, for his
training in theater and music.
First break in business: In 1981 as a model builder in Disneyland's
Entertainment Art production facility.
Most inspired by: "Even in times of trouble parks are still places to
go to wash your mind and live in a fantasy world for one day. I think
that's really important."
Proudest accomplishment: You can make memories for million.
Latest achievement: creative director for "Disney's LuminAria,"
Disney's California Adventure's first holiday show.
Biggest concern about industry: The poor economic forecast. Don't
worry about the industry itself. It truly has its ups and downs, but
always revolves back.
Best reason to be in this business. You can create something in the
middle of Main Street and get an instant reaction.
Advice for next generation: "Don't give up on your dream. If you
believe in it, give it your all."
KENNETH C. KIM
* MANAGER, SAMSUNG EVERLAND, RESORT DIVISION, STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM,
KYONGGI, SOUTH KOREA
* AGE: 30
According to Jae Gil Yang, managing director of Samsung Everland,
"Kenneth practices great harmony at work by combining his Western and
Asian experiences. He likes to tell stories of his Western experience,
and end the stories with an application of the stories to Asian ways.
He plays a great leadership role by generating motivation and
participation. He is a very creative person, while very precise about
figures and numbers."
Education: B.S. in Business Administration from Mary Washington
College.
First break in business: Moving from Management Support Division,
where he worked on the master plans of the hotels and golf courses, to
the Resort Division.
Most inspired by: The many stories of Walt Disney, and motivated by
the service vision of the president of Everland, Tae Hak Her.
Proudest accomplishment: Performing the role of chairman during the
Leisure Entertainment Asia Conference last July in Hong Kong.
Latest achievement: Initiating new Autumn Festival at Everland, which
increased attendance by 15% during September and October of this year.
Downtime: Golf, tennis, and snow boarding in the mountains during
winter.
Biggest concern about industry: The current situation with the
Taliban. "I hope the war could come to end soon."
Best reason to be in this business: You are working in a happy place,
and you can play and enjoy your work.
Next great achievement: To develop Everland into a world-class theme
park.
Advice for the next generation: "You must have love and passion for
the work, otherwise you are not.
BRIAN D. KING
* PRESIDENT, RECREATION ENGINEERING INC., HUNTLEY, ILL.
* AGE: 40
King is a mechanical engineer and president of his firm dedicated to
safety inspection, testing, maintenance and design. He has worked with
dozens of parks and has been an active leader and instructor in the
AIMS safety seminars. "It's kind of a noble cause. When you go home at
the end of the day you feel like you've done something good." He said.
Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Illinois Institute of
Technology, Chicago.
First break in business: When he was 16, he left a job at McDonald's
to work at Santa's Village in Dundee, Ill. IN his seven years there,
he developed his skills and interest in engineering.
Most inspired by: Professor Ralph Barnett, who showed him how to be a
professional with ethics, and Dick Rohrback from Knott's Berry Farm,
who taught him what customers expect.
Proudest accomplishment: His 8-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son.
Latest achievement: Getting is "CWI" -- certified weld inspector.
Downtime: Scuba diving and golfing.
Biggest concern about industry: One is that people need to start
flying and going to amusement parks again in the wake of the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks. The second is with so many manufacturers going
bankrupt that there will still be someone to provide rides.
Best reason to be in this business: The people in the business are a
riot, and what better way is there to focus our energy than on
building machines to make people have fun.
Next great achievement: As the next chairman of the ASTM F-24
committee, continue progress made in codifying safety standards the
last couple of years.
Advice for the next generation: "If you love the industry and you can
find a way to make a living in it, it's the best way to get rides for
free."
VALERIO FERRARI
* VP/COO ZAMPERLA INC., PARSIPPANY, N.J. (U.S. DIVISION OF ANTONIO
ZAMPERLA S.P.A.)
* AGE: 38
Most of the industry knows Ferrari as the smiling head of North
American sales for Zamperla, a position he created 10 years ago when
he joined the company in his hometown of Vicenza. He has not only
created a strong presence for Zamperla rides in the United States, but
has been involved with the design and engineering of nearly all rides
created by the company for the last decade.
Education: Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from University of
Padova, Italy.
First break in business: In 1993 when he sold a large package of
Zamperla rides to Tier-co (now Six Flags) for Adventure World (now Six
Flags America).
Most inspired by: Gary Story, president of Six Flags. "He built the
company from a very small park to the world's largest park chain. As
that was happening, I was building Zamperla Inc., and I was both
inspired and challenged by watching him."
Proudest accomplishment: Helping take the company from a "kiddie ride"
builder in the early 1990s, to a major ride manufacturer in 2001.
Latest achievement: Design and engineering of Volare, the company's
new "flying" coaster that will debut in the United States in 2002.
Downtime: Soccer, running, and spending time with his wife and three
sons.
Biggest concern about industry: To be able to meet the challenge and
to keep up with the new standards now being developed for both ride
manufacturers and park operators.
Best reason to be in this business: "Developing new product that will
keep park and carnival guests entertained and happy."
Next great achievement: To become a more integral part of the team
that will "continue to make Zamperla the unquestioned leader in the
world."
Advice for the next generation : "We need you to be innovative and to
not be afraid of.
WILL KOCH
* PRESIDENT, HOLIDAY WORLD THEME PARK, SANTA CLAUS, IND.
* AGE: 40
As the eldest of five children of Patricia and Bill Koch, owners of
Holiday World theme park, Will Koch spent many hours at the park
growing up. In 1988, he was made president and since then has
transformed a sleepy little park into a world-class family theme park.
Since taking over, he has added, among other attractions, two wooden
coasters and a waterpark. He has taken attendance from 255,000 in 1988
to 627,435 in 2001, and has grown revenues by 400%.
Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Notre Dame; M.S. in
Computer Science from University of Southern California.
First break in business: Coming home after college and being put in
charge of rides, games and administration his first season back.
Most inspired by: "My father, who taught me how to be careful when
spending money and how to work hard."
Proudest accomplishment: Having fans vote Holiday World as the
cleanest, most friendly park in the country for the past several
years.
Latest achievement: Offering free, unlimited soft drinks and free sun
tan lotion to all guests at the park. "That's how we dramatize our
park's value."
Downtime: "My off time is wonderfully dominated by the activities of
my three kids, ages 13, 11 and 7."
Biggest concern about industry: That cash-strapped ride manufacturers
will cut back on new, creative ideas and products leaving park owners
with fewer choices.
Best reason to be in this business: "What's better than making people
happy?"
Next greatest achievement: To build park attendance to 1 million,
within five years.
Advice for next generation: Don't be afraid to stand out and be
different. If you follow, you'll disappear because you'll only be a
small imitator.
Michel Linet-Frion
* DIRECTOR OF GREVIN PRODUCTIONS (PARC ASTERIX) PLAILLY, FRANCE
* AGE: 42
Linet-Frion has created many of the unique themes at the park. Before
Asterix, he was a Disney Imagineer. He's a member of the executive
board and the leader of the internal strategy think tank.
Education: Qualified as Licensed Architect at Universite
d'ArChitecture de Paris.
First break in business: After a stint as an independent consultant,
Linet-Frion was appointed a senior project architect at Walt Disney
Imagineering in California and Paris (for Euro Disney) from 1988 to
1994.
Most inspired by: Working at Walt Disney Imagineering. "I then
understood that was the type of environment I wanted to stay-working
in."
Proudest accomplishment: Overseeing the design, commission and
installation of four new major projects simultaneously for the Parc
Asterix group during winter 2000.
Downtime: Spending time with his wife and two daughters, aged 7 and 10
years.
Biggest concern about the industry: Danger of overwhelming consumers
with the fastest, tallest, longest coasters.
Greatest Reason to be in this Business: "The people we work with. It's
important to have relationships with a lot of different people in
different activities. And because the people you work with are never
the same, no two projects are ever the same."
Next Great Achievement: "I want to set it up so that the kind of
service we provide lasts - no matter how big the group gets."
Advice for the Next Generation: The biggest mistake is to have great
ideas and artistic intuition but no method or planning.
ANN-MAREE O'NEILL
* HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, WARNER VILLAGE THEME PARKS, QUEENSLAND.
AUSTRALIA
* AGE: 40
O'Neill has been active promoting the Sea World/Wet'n Wild/Warner
Bros. properties for many years and is the IAAPA International
Representative from that area, representing Australia and New Zealand.
Education: Diploma of Education
First break in business: Coming from the hotel business and taking a
position as Food and Beverage Training Officer at Sea World Australia
13-years ago.
Most inspired by: Lyndall De Marco, executive director of Youth Career
Initiative for the Prince of Wales International Business Leaders
Forum. She made O'Neill see the theme parks as a classroom, leading
her to develop a theme park certification program.
Proudest accomplishment: Being inducted into the Gold Coast Tourism
Training Hall of Fame.
Downtime: Tennis and sailing.
Biggest concern about industry: Losing sight of the fact this is a fun
business because of financial concerns.
Best reason to be in this business: "You only have to walk through any
theme park and see children laughing and having fun to realize this is
a special industry."
LINDA BERNANDER SILSETH
Advice for next generation: Surround yourself with good people; gain
skills, knowledge and experience in things that will give you choices
in the future; and be flexible and adaptable.
* CEO, TUSENFRYD ASA, OsLo, NORWAY
* AGE: 39
coming from a strong background in hospitality management, marketing
and planning, Silseth entered the theme park industry three years ago
in a good position to help turn the tides on the marginally profitable
park. Through a focused marketing effort, she has built the park into
a strong brand that now dominates its marketplace and is now the
second most-visited attraction in the country. Her decision to build a
wooden coaster in 2001 resulted in a 30% attendance jump for the
season.
Education: Hospitality Degree from the Norway Hotel University,
Stavanger, Norway.
First break in business: Being hired in 1998 as CEO of TusenFryd from
her COO position at Choice Hotels Scandinavia.
Proudest accomplishment: Opening of the country's only wooden roller
coaster in 2001.
Downtime: Spending time with her husband and two small children.
Biggest concern about industry: With the softening economy, there is
also a softening in cash flow that is needed to invest in new product
that will in turn bring in more guests.
Best reason to be in this business: "I love creating happiness and
providing a source of escapism for the families who visit."
Next great achievement: To continue building the TusenFryd brand with
plans to create a major family attraction for 2003, the park's 15th
anniversary. "We can't rest on our current success, we must keep
going."
Advice For next generation: To know and to stay focused on your brand
and to always listen to the guests. "Never spend any money on
development without surveying your guests first to confirm what they
want."
LAMBERTO FRESNILLO LoBo
* HEAD OF LEGAL DEPT., PARQUES REUNIDOS, MADRID, SPAIN SECRETARY OF
SPANISH ASSN. OF AMUSEMENT PARKS
* AGE: 35
Lobo worked for the company as a ride operator putting himself through
the university Following law school, he returned to work as an
attorney for the same company, which now owns amusement parks,
waterparks, zoos, aquariums and nature parks in Spain. He has helped
the company grow from three parks in 1990 to 13 in 2001. As secretary
of the Spanish Assn. of Amusement Parks, he serves on the committee
creating ride and manufacturing standards for all of Europe.
Education: Law degree from Autonoma University, Madrid; post-degree in
law and business administration from Complutense University, Madrid.
First break in business: "When, to my surprise, I came back after the
university to an amusement park, instead of joining a law firm. I
never imagined it."
Most inspired by: Cecilio Caparrini, former CEO of Parques Reunidos.
"He was my mentor, I learned much from him."
Proudest accomplishment: Being appointed as head of the Spanish Assn.
of Amusement Parks.
Downtime: Visiting the cinema, reading, travelling in the countryside,
and playing competitive table tennis.
Biggest concern about industry: The future of leisure travel and
consumer habits. "We are all Concerned about the consequences of
terrorism threats and how they will affect the confidence of tourists
worldwide."
Best reason to be in business: "It's a never-ending journey to explore
ways to satisfy people through rides and attractions and with guest
services."
Next great achievement: To unify the three Spanish amusement trade
associations into one in order to have more governmental influence and
one strong voice.
Advice for next generation: "To live the industry with passion and to
remember that what we do is not only for ourselves, but for the
enjoyment of society."
Jason Weatherford
MERCHANDISE MANAGER, PARAMOUNT'S KING'S DOMINION, DOSWELL, VA
* AGE: 27
Weatherford worked at the park through high school and college and has
been there full time for five years. The Paramount Parks corporate
director of merchandise says Jason is an "extremely good merchant with
a strong sense of urgency for the retail park business." His
supervisors also say his innovative approach and his strong business
acumen give him an opportunity to grow with the company and become a
corporate director.
Education: B.S. in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth
University, Richmond.
First break in business: In 1996, two months after graduating from
college and quitting his seasonal job with King's Dominion, the park
called him back and offered him a full-time position as merchandise
manager. "That was kind of my realization of this is what I'm going to
do for a living."
Most inspired by: The opportunity to use his entrepreneurialism at
King's Dominion.
Proudest accomplislunent: Having retailers from outside the industry
call to seek his advice and ask how he runs his operation.
Latest achievement: Hitting his targets in his first year as
merchandise department manager.
Downtime: Renovating his old house with his wife, and travel.
Biggest concern about industry: The employment environment now and the
necessity of hiring staff from abroad. "This concerns me because it
makes our ability to build a good 'bench' of staff so hard and almost
impossible."
Best reason to be in this business: The opportunity to grow as a
person. "It makes you mature very, very quickly."
Next great achievement: To be the youngest general manager of a park.
Advice for the next generation: Join a team that you believe in and
work hard. "I'm also a big believer in taking chances. You will never
know what you can accomplish until you join the team, learn the game
and apply what you have learned to the business every day.
Robert Reagan
>
>* VP/COO ZAMPERLA INC., PARSIPPANY, N.J. (U.S. DIVISION OF ANTONIO
>ZAMPERLA S.P.A.)
>
>* AGE: 38
>
>Most of the industry knows Ferrari as the smiling head of North
>American sales for Zamperla, a position he created 10 years ago when
>he joined the company in his hometown of Vicenza. He has not only
>created a strong presence for Zamperla rides in the United States, but
>has been involved with the design and engineering of nearly all rides
>created by the company for the last decade.
>
>
>new "flying" coaster that will debut in the United States in 2002.
Hmmmmm
Robert Reagan
Coaster lover since July 1980
ACE Member since September 1980
ECC Member since February 2000