IAAPA announces management transition

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has announced that President and Chief Executive Chip Cleary has decided to return to a leadership position within the theme park industry as of the end of the year.

In his place, Paul Noland, theme park consultant, IAAPA Board member, and former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts executive, will take over as IAAPA President and Chief Executive as of 1st January 2013 following a period of leadership transition in the final months of the year.

Speaking in relation to Chip Cleary's return to theme park management, Managing Partner of Europa-Park and Mack Rides in Germany and 2012 IAAPA Chairman of the Board, Roland Mack explained "Chip has accomplished a great deal as president and CEO of IAAPA.

"He restructured the association’s global sales team; upgraded IAAPA's technology and critical operating systems; led the development and introduction of a new intellectual property program; overhauled the organisation's budget and expense management processes; and ensured the success of the association's trade shows around the world … an impressive list of accomplishments in a short period of time."

Mack added "we are fortunate to have Paul lined up to lead IAAPA after Chip leaves.

"Chip has made a real difference in our association and we greatly appreciate all he has done. Paul's proven track record, analytical acumen, and leadership skills will allow him to build on Chip’s success so we can accomplish the aggressive strategic initiatives the board has established for IAAPA's future."

Cleary, who has led IAAPA since April 2011, added "have enjoyed my experience as President and CEO of IAAPA and I am proud of all we have accomplished. We have more work to do and we will continue to move the association forward between now and the end of the year.

"I look forward to once again planning and developing attractions and entertaining guests so I am excited about returning to the theme park industry.

"I have gotten to know Paul very well through our work on the IAAPA board and Audit Committee and I am confident the transition will be seamless."

Noland added "I am excited about this great opportunity with an organisation I respect in an industry I love (and) I look forward to working with our members and their diverse businesses around the world to move our association forward together."

Paul Noland is currently Principal and Chief Executive of RPN Associates, a consulting and project management firm in the attractions industry.

From 1995 to 2011, Noland was an executive with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts serving in various senior management capacities including Senior Vice President, Global Business Development where he led a cross-functional team in the identification, evaluation, and negotiation of future growth opportunities for Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort, and the Disney Vacation Club. Noland also led Walt Disney World's financial team as Senior Vice President, Finance, Planning, and Business Development and served as Vice President, Revenue Management and Business Development.

Noland was in leadership positions with Marriott International from 1983 to 1995, including serving as Senior Director, Lodging Revenue Management and Director, Sales and Catering Systems.

Noland has a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Speech Communication from Radford University in Radford, Virginia.

He has been a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors since 2009 and he is chairman of the IAAPA Audit Committee. He has also served on the School Advisory Board for St. John Vianney Catholic School in Orlando, Florida and been co-chair of the school’s Annual Fund campaign.

Chip Cleary started his career in the industry in 1978 at Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale, New York. He worked his way up through a number of positions to serve as vice president, where he oversaw the rebuilding and operation of the park.

In 1991 Cleary supervised the design and construction of Splish Splash waterpark on Long Island, New York, and served as the park's president until 1999. Cleary and his partners sold Splish Splash to Palace Entertainment in 1999, and Cleary joined Palace's executive team as vice president of the waterpark division. Splish Splash is consistently rated one of the top waterparks in the United States.

Palace Entertainment was purchased by Spain-based Parques Reunidos in 2007 and Cleary was named senior vice president to oversee the company's portfolio of waterparks in the U.S. In 2008 Lake Compounce was added to his group.

Prior to heading IAAPA, Cleary had been an active volunteer in IAAPA for nearly 15 years. He served on the Association's exhibitor awards, government relations, safety and maintenance, and conference and trade show advisory committees and chaired the membership, strategic planning, compensation, and executive committees. Cleary also led the team that produced the Kickoff Event at IAAPA Attractions Expo for the past four years. He served two terms on the board of directors and was elected third vice chairman in 2007. He served as second and first vice chairman in 2008 and 2009 respectively and he was chairman of the board in 2010.

Cleary graduated magna cum laude in 1973 from the New York Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He is a past Chairman of the board for the Amusement Council of the New York State Hotel Motel Association and has served on the boards for the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Miller Place Civic Association. 

For more information go to www.IAAPA.org

5th March 2011 - JAMES ‘CHIP’ CLEARY NAMED IAAPA PRESIDENT