Increasing Transactions in Food & Beverage - Shorter Lines, More Cash, Happier Guests

Nancy joined Cedar Fair in April of 2015 as the Corporate Vice President of Food and Beverage. Hamlin has served in that role since that date leading the development of capital resources, strategic planning and human capital to drive results in a fast growing revenue department. Hamlin began her career with Restaurant chains such as Stouffer Restaurants, Cracker Barrel,  Rainforest Café, J .Alexander’s and Capital Grille. In July of 2003 Nancy joined Levy Restaurants as the Assistant Director of Operations at Ford Field. In 2004 Nancy continued her development as a nominee into Levy Restaurants’ Top Gun Program and graduated as the valedictorian.  With a proven record for achieving profit goals while maintaining Levy’s world class points of difference, Nancy was promoted in October 2004 to Director of Operations.  Nancy’s experience in the role along with her passion, focus and enthusiasm for delivering at the highest standards is a perfect fit with Levy’s philosophies and made her a great resource for other locations. During her tenure as a leader of Levy Restaurants, she was awarded many accolades for her leadership, including Director of Operations of the Year for the prestigious Levy Dream Team.  Nancy led the planning and execution for Super Bowl XL in February 2006 serving over 70,000 fans.  Her career, with Levy, then became a meteoric rise based on her talents.  In May, 2006, Nancy was transferred to the Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.  After a successful run in Charlotte, she became Area Manager in February 2007.  In February 2009, she was then promoted again to Regional Director of Operations for the Southeast Region.  Her role once again expanded in April 2013 to Senior Regional Director of Operations, covering all of Boston, Charlotte, Atlanta and most of Florida.  In July of 2014 Nancy was promoted to Regional Vice President of the Southeast Region.  In December 2013, Nancy was honored as the first recipient of the Edie Levy Award For Outstanding Mentorship for her impact throughout the company in training and development, as evidenced by all the leaders that have worked for her and been promoted. In April 2015, Nancy left Levy Restaurants to join Cedar Fair to take on the new challenges of theme park food services and to have a better travel/life balance. Nancy is a graduate of both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Paul Smith’s College in Lake Placid, NY.   

Jeremy Hoyum is Senior VP Park Performance of Urban Air Adventure Parks. Jeremy was previously serving on the FEC Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and was the Chair of the FEC Education subcommittee. He believes that the success of the family entertainment industry revolves around providing a critical service to communities through helping to create memorable experiences for family and friends.  Jeremy has over twenty years of experience in bowling and family entertainment centers. He helped create and operate the Amazing Jake’s brand and has changed the big box pizza concept to what is now Jake’s Unlimited. While at Jake’s Unlimited he won two coveted Brass Rings Awards, one for Top Family Entertainment Center of the World and another for the Best New Food Item. They were the first FEC to win a food award for IAAPA.  As a former paratrooper in the US Army, Jeremy brings leadership, discipline, and problem-solving ingenuity to all aspects of his operational success.

Walter started at Six Flags Over Georgia at the age of 16 and spent the next 30 years working at various Six Flags parks. Along with Six Flags Over Georgia, he served as the Food Service Assistant Manager and later Food Service Manager at Six Flags AstroWorld/WaterWorld in Houston, Texas. After the closure of AstroWorld, Walter went on to Six Flags Magic Mountain in the Greater Los Angeles area as the Food Service Manager where he oversaw the Food Service and Catering Departments for Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor.
Walter left Six Flags to work for a startup park company, Adrenaline Family Entertainment as the Revenue Director at Alabama Adventure. He also spent time as an industry consultant before joining Schlitterbahn Galveston as their Food & Beverage Director. Walter joined Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Houston, Texas in 2016 as the Revenue Director, where he oversaw Food & Beverage, Retail, Rentals, Front Gate and Group Sales.

In November of 2021, Typhoon Texas branched out to include Water Parks in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walter was named to the newly created position of Senior Director of Revenue Operations for the company’s parks in Texas and Las Vegas.

Walter received his BS in Hospitality Management from Georgia State University. He volunteers at his Church (Grand Parkway Baptist) as well as coaching youth basketball and baseball.

Bernie has been with Whirley Drinkworks for over 30 years. He has provided valuable guidance to numerous Theme parks and attractions making Souvenir vessels a key component of any park's revenue stream. Whirley Drinkworks specializes in the manufacturer of refill/souvenir vessels throughout the world. Along with Bernie, Whirley has worked to pioneer the refill/souvenir container offerings for the Amusement Park and Attractions Industry.