Biography

Charles Bray, IAAPA President and CEO

Charles (Charlie) Bray was appointed president and CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) February 1, 2006. He was the association’s chief financial officer from 2004 to 2006.

IAAPA, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents more than 4,300 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 nations.  Facilities represented by the association include amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts and casinos.  IAAPA strives to help members improve their safety, efficiency, marketing, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry.

Bray is a veteran association and financial executive with more than 30 years of non-profit and association experience, including serving as president of two other associations, the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) and the Electronic Retailing Association. 

Prior to joining IAAPA, Bray was with the non-profit division of the consulting firm RSM McGladrey, where he worked with clients on such issues as strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, board governance, and best practice benchmarking. 

As president of FPSA from 1997 through 2003, Bray introduced and developed a  strategic planning initiative for the organization, created a business development culture, increased membership diversity, and focused on trade show and convention opportunities.

Bray was president of the Electronic Retailing Association from 1996 to 1997 and owned his own consulting and accounting firm, Bray and Jackson, P.C. from 1995 to 1996. 

For 17 years, from 1978 to 1995, Bray worked in a variety of roles and ultimately rose to the position of senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Food Marketing Institute.

Bray worked with American University from 1973 to 1978.  He started his professional career with Arthur Andersen in 1971.

Bray is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a bachelor of science in business and a major in accounting. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.