During my career I have visited more than 150 amusement parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, fairs, festivals, and major league sports facilities internationally. My experience with and knowledge of safe operating procedures, appropriate warning signage and safety related written documentation covers a vast area of venues where guests assemble to enjoy a safe experience.

I have recently been honored with the ASTM International Jimmy Floyd Award which was presented for invaluable leadership and outstanding technical contributions to the development and improvement of amusement ride standards resulting in increased recognition of ASTM International F24 amusement ride standards worldwide.

AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY CONSULTING LLC

General Manager
August 1998 to Present

Jerry provides Global Consulting Services to assist the amusement industry in developing a safe environment in which to deliver exceptional customer service. He has acquired a diverse amount of amusement industry knowledge that has been cultivated during more than 43 years with valuable front line management and consulting experience including 27 years with the Walt Disney Company in an assortment of managerial assignments. Jerry offers his expertise in the areas of safety, risk management, maintenance and operational procedures, ASTM International Amusement Rides and Devices Standards and Guidelines, Incident Investigation, and Expert Litigation support for fixed park locations, the mobile amusement industry and major league sports facilities. Jerry presents workshops at industry related educational safety seminars on subjects such as; Incident Investigation, Crisis Management, Master Planning Signage, ASTM International Standards, Ride Safety, Government & Industry Compliance, Policies & Procedures, and Operational Guidelines. He assists the client to maintain a uniform balance that will provide a safe guest experience through innovative solutions, prudent planning, and fiscal responsibility. In addition Jerry contributes through current membership responsibilities in national and international industry related organizations. Jerry is committed to perpetuate safety programs and improve amusement industry or major league sports organization experiences through guest-oriented initiatives that achieve practical solutions for any client’s unique circumstances. Amusement Industry Consulting works with the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) Quality Assessment Circle of Excellence Audit Program where more than 100 mobile amusement industry owners have been evaluated and coached to provide an exceptional and safe guest experience.

WALT DISNEY COMPANY – June 1971 through July 1998
Director – Independence Programs & Support Maintenance (7/95 – 7/98)

Directed management of departments responsible for property-wide electronic systems used at Walt Disney World; Directed development of five-year master plan and annual programs that implement specific requirements of Services for Guests with Disabilities. Coordinated program activities with Operations, Guest Relations, Legal, Risk Management, Engineering, and senior management from within Walt Disney Company to ensure consistent application of programs and annual capital budget. Company received national awards in recognition of improvements to the guest experience by implementing barrier removal projects. Represented Disney through pro-active involvement with amusement industry rule making along with the implementation of technical and operational Amusement Safety Standards. Actively participated with international amusement industry leaders to promote current safety and maintenance issues through promotion of international best practices.

General Manager – Magic Kingdom Maintenance (12/93 – 7/95)

Accountable for overall maintenance at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Directed 42 member management team responsible for 340 craft workers and a $35 million annual budget to perform the maintenance responsibilities with multi-disciplined departments to provide a safe environment for an enjoyable guest and employee experience. Piloted innovative scheduled work program to ensure programmed maintenance completion, within budget constraints and minimal guest inconvenience.
Directed activities between Design, Safety, Maintenance, and Construction associated with $100 million Tomorrowland restoration. Member of the Magic Kingdom Executive Committee responsible for all business matters including guest and employee safety relating to World’s number one attended Theme Park. Periodically performed function as operational Duty Manager of Magic Kingdom, ensuring park procedures were carried out in accordance with pre-established safety and operational procedures.

General Manager – Parks Maintenance Support (9/90 – 12/93)

Managed Sustaining Engineering, Maintenance Training, Maintenance Control System, and Show Documentation for all three Florida theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney-MGM Studios). Managed a three-year, $6 million project covering the upgrade of the Magic Kingdom park-wide audio systems supporting background audio, parades and special events. Project was accomplished on time and within budget without disruption to presenting daily parades and other scheduled park activities. Participated, on a rotating basis, as Operational Duty Manager of Magic Kingdom. Chaired a property wide committee to assess existing computerized maintenance control system and evaluate contemporary products available for upgrading the current system.

Director – Show / Ride Engineering Disneyland Paris (9/87 – 9/90)

Directed Walt Disney Imagineering Show / Ride Engineering team through specification and procurement strategy development of the Show / Ride electro-mechanical, and electronic monitor and control systems that were designed and produced principally in Europe for the Disneyland Paris Project. Established French Project Engineering organization for multiple technology engineering disciplines. Traveled extensively throughout Europe to identify and qualify engineering and manufacturing resources to receive major system Requests for Proposal. Developed business contacts at European ride and systems suppliers, major European amusement parks, and became familiar with European business etiquette. During bid appraisal and contract negotiations, concentrated attention on electronic requirements, which were for show and amusement ride control, audio/video systems, fire/safety/security protection, and park-wide facility energy management.

Management with Engineering and Maintenance (10/82 – 9/87)

Established opening day operational procedures and budget requirements for maintenance of electronic systems at Epcot. Responsible for management of maintenance and engineering during first five operational years of this new facility. Provided hi-tech electronic systems engineering/maintenance management at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Coordinated essential interface to Industrial Engineering in support of Parks Maintenance. Directed a capital Special Project through funding request, design, production, programming, and installation to replace a 15 year old technology and obsolete Magic Kingdom show control system that was utilized to playback the Audio-Animatronic® presentations.

Project Manager – Project Development & Construction (1/81 – 10/82)

Walt Disney Imagineering Project Manager for design, production, and installation of Epcot electronic integrated systems. Managed to multi-million dollar budget and project schedule objectives that insured delivery of show related and safety systems that would function with minimal downtime and reasonable maintenance cost. Managed Construction schedule and field labor required to support installation of Epcot electronic control systems, including required on-site cabling that provided the electronic communications network between all systems and facilities within the EPCOT Center Park.

Management of several areas in the MAGIC KINGDOM (6/71 – 1/81)

Established and managed several electro-mechanical maintenance and operational departments at the Magic Kingdom responsible for Park-Wide and Resort Hotel systems. Management responsibilities included leading-edge technical systems for ride, show and facility safety control functions.

INDUSTRY RELATED AFFILIATIONS

Actively involved with the Global Amusement Industry through participation with several industry related associations:

Current Member

International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)
New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (NEAAPA)
ASTM International (ASTM) F24 Committee Amusement Rides & Devices
IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive
Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA)
Coordinator of Circle of Excellence Quality Assessment Audit Program
Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International (AIMS)
Actively support and participate in the Annual AIMS International Safety Seminar
National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) – “Safety through Communication”
Showman’s League of America (SLA) – Mission is to promote fellowship, provide services and preserve Amusement Industry history.

Past Member

IAAPA Board of Directors Member (Three Year Term)
IAAPA Member of Manufacturers & Suppliers Committee
IAAPA Member of Space Allocation Committee
IAAPA Member of Safety/Maintenance Committee
ASTM International Chairman of the Maintenance/Inspection Sub-committee
ASTM International Member on the Executive Sub-committee
ASTM International Membership Secretary for F24 Main Committee
Member of Editorial Board for Venue Safety & Security Magazine

Addendum

During five separate operating seasons I have been awarded the contract to audit an amusement park for overall operational division’s safety. Procedures for guest operations including Guests with Disabilities were evaluated and in-field observations were made to assess operational safety and proficiency. The effectiveness of signage and printed collateral was evaluated in the overall assessment. Reports were written to the County Commission of as the county owns the Amusement Park. Progress was tracked during and between audits performed to ensure improved operational safety goals was realized.

I was contracted to evaluate a unique property in Canada. I reported on my observations of operational guest service issues at the Rexall Place, home of the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Team, Edmonton Expo Centre Convention Facility and the Horse Racing Track. These three uniquely diverse venues under one management team were looking to capitalize on industry best practices operational procedures to strengthen the guest experience and safety at three venues.

I conducted an audit of the overall operational effectiveness of a three pier operation at a New Jersey Ocean Side Boardwalk park. A single management team is responsible for three separate amusement park areas and two water parks. All written procedures were evaluated to ensure compliance with manufacturer’s recommendations and front line operators were evaluated to ensure guest service procedures were followed in actual practice. Nomenclature and signage was critiqued to ensure a consistent guest message would contribute to a safe guest and employee environment.

I have consulted with a major league baseball team during the design and construction of a new baseball stadium and the development of operational procedures for front line employees. During the design phase I reviewed drawings to ensure ADA compliance and established the space and manpower requirements for a maintenance department. During the development of operational procedures I concentrated on Guest Service etiquette issues for employees to ensure a safe guest experience. After the park opened I conducted many game day audits to ensure procedures that were developed and employees trained to administer were being followed. After the first year of operation in the new baseball facility I was contracted to rework the ballpark signage package to improve guest service and safety as the original signs were confusing to guest and impeded operational objectives.

For the past eighteen years I have participated as an instructor and student at the annual Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers, International (AIMS) safety seminar. This premier annual week of training is attended by employees Worldwide from the Mobile Amusement Industry, Fixed Site Seasonal Parks, Corporate Parks, and Water Parks. Specific subjects are presented for each constituency and common subjects are available for all attendees. Testing and certification is available through AIMS International. I have been certified as a Level I Operations Technician and a Level I Maintenance Technician.

For the past ten years I have been the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) coordinator of the Circle of Excellence Quality Assessment Program. Through this program Carnival Operators and Independent Midway Contractors are assessed utilizing a specific set of criteria and if they meet a documented level of professionalism they become recipients of the Circle of Excellence Award.

I have audited several fixed amusement parks and family entertainment centers over the past sixteen years to establish a base line Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Safety assessment when new ownership wanted to understand what modifications and alterations were required to attain compliance.

For the past twenty years I have been personally involved with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). I have presented operational safety training seminars in Mexico, Singapore, Argentina, The Netherlands, Spain, and at several Annual Conventions in the United States. I co-authored an operational safety signage guideline through IAAPA available to the membership that gives direction for rating the intensity of Amusement Rides and Water Park elements and offers a rating designation system similar to the snow ski industry. I was elected to serve a three year term on the IAAPA Board of Directors and I am an IAAPA Certified Attractions Executive.

I am an active member of ASTM International the organization responsible for publishing the standards for Amusement Rides and Devices under committee F24. I have participated in the development of standards and guidelines that are utilized in the amusement industry to provide a safe environment for guest and employee experiences. Some examples of standards I am familiar and have participated with the development of:

F747 Standard Terminology Relating to Amusement Rides and Devices
F770 Standard Practice for Ownership, Operation, Maintenance, and Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices
F2291 Standard Practice for Design of Amusement Rides and Devices
F2376 Standard Practice for Classification, Design, Manufacture, Construction, and Operation of Water Slide Systems
F2461 Standard Practice for Manufacture, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Aquatic Play Equipment