IAAPA Presents: Lagoon

Andre' started his career at Lagoon at sixteen years old, and has worked his way up the ranks to become the Director of Safety & Security, a Park Director, a Corporate Director, and a member of the Board of Directors. He’s held many roles during his thirty-six years at Lagoon, including Ride Operator, Ride Manager, and Director of Operations. Andre' has also been involved in various safety committees and advisory boards, and considers working at Lagoon and being a part of the Freed family to be the greatest experience of his career.

David Gray is the Human Resources Director with over 25 years of experience. He oversees HR functions for over 4,000 seasonal team members and 180 full-time staff. David has created successful recruitment strategies, training programs, employee engagement and cultural initiatives, and leadership development programs. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s Degree from Weber State University, and a SPHR certification. David also serves on various industry and community boards and committees.

Dustin Allen has over 10 years of experience directing ride design and installation efforts. Prior to his work at Lagoon, Dustin worked as a mechanical engineer for ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide on amusement ride projects worldwide. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a licensed professional engineer in Utah. Dustin enjoys creating unique and entertaining experiences for park guests and is an active member of the ASTM F-24 amusement standards group.

Jimmy began his career in 1990 as a Ride Attendant at Dracula's Castle. He quickly advanced to roles such as Area Supervisor and Rides Coordinator. Currently, he serves as the Director of Operations and holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Weber State University. Jimmy values strong leadership and enjoys staying up to date with new amusement park technologies.

Julie Freed has been passionate about Lagoon her whole life- it’s in her blood! Her grandfather, Peter Freed, and his brothers leased (and then years later purchased) Lagoon after WWII.  The park has been in the Freed family ever since; three generations. Julie essentially grew up at Lagoon with her family. For nearly a decade since Julie has been working at Lagoon full-time, she has taken on many roles and continues to wear many hats on the park. From Directing Special Events, to being a Park Spokesperson, to Directing the Frightmares Extravaganza, Julie continues to work with her family to make Lagoon a place for families to enjoy and make memories for years to come.

Terry Capener is Lagoon’s General Manager and Executive Vice President of Retail since 1997, overseeing overall operations, retail, marketing, group sales, accounting, purchasing, and IT. Terry began his career at Lagoon at 16 and worked his way up to become Director of the Food Division before taking on his current position. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and is involved in various industry and community boards. Terry is committed to providing an amazing experience for every Lagoon team member.