FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Carowinds Welcomes New General Manager
Bart Kinzel is Named Vice President and General Manager of Carowinds
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Mar. 24, 2009) – Carowinds, a 112-acre combination amusement and water park located on the state line of the Carolinas is welcoming a new general manager. Bart Kinzel, a seasoned veteran in the amusement park industry, has been named the new vice president and general manager of the Charlotte park.
Kinzel began his career at 15 years old in Minnesota at Valleyfair, a Cedar Fair Entertainment Company park, in the Foods Department filling soda machines. He returned to Valleyfair for several seasons, and, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Kinzel was offered a full-time position as an Operations Manager at the park. From there, Bart rose through the ranks and several years later moved to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, the flagship park of Cedar Fair, and eventually became the Director of Franchise Operations. Kinzel also held positions as Director of Food Services at Geauga Lake & Wild Water Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, and served as General Manager of Star Trek: the Experience in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In late November, Kinzel joined the Carowinds’ team in Charlotte armed with a vision for the only amusement park that straddles two states. “I expect to see the continued growth of Carowinds,” Kinzel expressed, “and it is my goal to position this park as a strong regional entertainment destination that is committed to thrilling rides and family fun.”
The 2009 season will see many more changes beyond that of the new general manager. Carowinds will introduce a new roller coaster for the first time in five years, Carolina Cobra; an addition that Kinzel says is only the beginning of a new era for the Charlotte park. In addition, guests at Carowinds will see many changes in landscaping, freshly painted rides, general park aesthetics, and more. Kinzel stated, “We are proud of what Carowinds has to offer for 2009 and beyond, and will continue to invest in our product to better the experience of our guests each time they visit.”
Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, CA under a management contract.
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Topic: KInzel Named New GM At Carowinds (Read 1051 times)