IAAPA Safety Forum: Brazil

Gerald is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Operations for Herschend Enterprises. In this role, Gerald leads the Company’s guest excellence efforts, facility capital programming, and annual operational planning. Additionally, he oversees safety operations at the property level across North America, working with each of the safety directors to assure compliance, develop Standards and share best practices.  He is also responsible for strengthening the alignment between safety, maintenance and attractions. Additionally, Gerald serves as the leader of the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management program and Inclusiveness Council.

Before this role, Gerald was General Manager of Stone Mountain Park, the state of Georgia’s most visited tourist attraction. Under his leadership, the park became a family destination offering year-round activities. In 2006, he led the successful development of Snow Mountain which became a key attraction at Stone Mountain Park. He moved to his corporate role in 2014.

He currently serves as a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Security Committee and is the former Chair of the IAAPA North American Safety Committee. Gerald has been an active IAAPA member, attending the Annual Legislative Advocacy Days & Leadership Conference and supporting the IAAPA PAC. He is also an active member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Security subcommittee.

Gerald graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science and received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Carolina. He is also a former board member of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.