Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has selected a long-time SeaWorld executive as its next president.
John Reilly will take over as Six Flags' President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 8. Reilly most recently worked as CEO of Palace Entertainment, the Parques Reunindos subsidiary whose parks were purchased by Herschend. Before that Reilly served as interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer at SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.
"After a thorough search process, we are thrilled to have appointed an accomplished and experienced leader with the right skillset to enable Six Flags to reach its full potential," Six Flags Chair-elect Marilyn Spiegel said. "John is joining at a critical moment for the Company, following the merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair last year. With a fresh set of eyes, combined with significant experience optimizing theme park operations and performance, we believe John will harness the best of both legacy companies and will reinvigorate profitable growth at our underperforming parks."
"I am honored to serve as Six Flags’ next President and Chief Executive Officer and look forward to working with the Board, leadership team, and talented associates to deliver results," Reilly said. "The combination of Six Flags and Cedar Fair created an unrivaled collection of parks with immense opportunity, and I believe we can reach new heights and deliver significant near- and long-term growth. I am excited to deliver even greater experiences for our guests and value to our shareholders.”
We first met John back when he was the President of SeaWorld San Diego and took us for ride on Manta.
Agreed the_man26, but my worry here is that this guy's experience and sensibility will be ignored by the board, and he either is CEO in name only or leaves after a year because SF is gonna Six Flags.
I just can't bring myself to be encouraged by this, because we've been burned too many times thinking this company is going to turn a corner and they just go back to doing the same things that put them into this situation.
So much for my chaotic wish that Bob Chapek get the job.
Of the people who were realistic candidates for the role, I think Reilly is probably the best option they could have gone with. He is someone who has decades of experience in the industry working with a variety of different types of properties, and as long as the other higher-ups will provide the resources he needs and yield to his direction, I think there is a chance for a very bright future for Six Flags. Of course, there is the possibility his vision fails to align with that of the board, but if a failing theme park company is unwilling to work with an industry veteran there really isn't a whole lot that can be done to save them.
Hope he actually lives in Charlotte and goes down the street to discover the Winterfest event at Carowinds CLOSES at 7pm each night... so much for seeing the Christmas lights. Isn't that the whole point of a Christmas attraction?
Happily surprised that John Reilly is so knowledgeable about theming, roller coaster elements, and how to delight guests. That is something that was glaringly obvious with Selim Bassoul who was seldom, if ever, seen inside a Six Flags theme park. Hopefully, John will reverse course on Richard Zimmerman's and Brian Witherow's unpopular decisions such as charging for Halloween Haunts and setting Winter Fest hours to close at 7 pm when the big selling points are to see the Christmas lights, enjoy the festivities and buy food and beverages.
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I think this is about as "safe" as the board could play this, which is in-line with the way Cedar Fair has been managed for the last 15 years or so (and opposite from the way SF has been ran, where up until Zimmerman they hadn't had a CEO that had actually worked at a theme park, like, ever).