Press Releases

IAAPA Elects 2003 Officers and New Members of Board of Directors

 

ORLANDO, FLA., USA (Nov. 19, 2003) – The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions ( IAAPA) elected its 2003 officers and new representatives to its Board of Directors today during IAAPA Orlando 2003, the association’s 85th annual convention and trade show at the Orange County Convention Center.

Gary Story of Six Flags Inc. (Oklahoma City, Okla.) (Click here for Gary Story bio) is now Chairman, succeeding John Collins. Jane Cooper of Wannado Entertainment ( Plantation, Fla.) is named First Vice Chairman, while Rob Norris of Seabreeze Park ( Rochester, N.Y.) becomes Second Vice Chairman. Mats Wedin of Liseberg ( Gothenburg, Sweden) is the newly-chosen Third Vice Chairman. Tom Wages of Lake Compounce Theme Park ( Bristol, Conn.) will serve as Treasurer. 

Elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors representing amusement facilities were:

• Stephen Galbraith, Wonderland Sydney (Eastern Creek, NSW,
  Australia)
• Will Koch, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (Santa Claus, Ind.)
• Larry MacKenzie, Valleyfair ( Shakopee, Minn.)
• Vic Nolting, Coney Island ( Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Bill Ross, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts ( Burbank, Calif.)
• Bob Masterson, Ripley Entertainment ( Orlando, Fla.)

Elected to a three-year term on the Board representing manufacturers and suppliers was:

• Jerry Aldrich, Amusement Industry Consulting ( Orlando, FL)

Elected to a three-year term on the Board representing the World Council was:

• Marcelo Periales, Neverland Park (Rio Ceballos, Argentina) & AAPA (Asociacion Argentina de Parques y Atracciones)

About Gary Story
Gary Story has served as President, Chief Operating Officer and Director for Six Flags, Inc., since June 1994. From 1992-1994, he was the company's Executive Vice President.

Gary began his theme park career in 1972 as a seasonal employee at Six Flags St. Louis. He then worked at a number of theme parks around the world, including positions as general manager of Luna Park in Sydney, Australia, and as general manager of Diversiones del Reino in Mexico City before returning to the United States as general manager of Frontier City 
theme park.

Gary has served IAAPA as a member of the Board for many years. He is also involved nationally and in his local community with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and UNICEF. A 1997 graduate of the University of Missouri, Gary is married with three children. He and his family are all avid theme park enthusiasts.

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IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 4,500 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry. www.iaapa.org