IAAPA Oral History Project

The mission of the IAAPA Oral History Project is to honor the attractions pioneers, trailblazers, and risk-takers, the people whose vision, passion, and persistence built a great industry. In so doing, we hope to educate those who currently carry the torch and inspire the next generation of global attractions industry leaders.


CEO/President Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., Italy
President, P.T. Funworld Prima, Indonesia
CEO, Ruwaad Holdings LLC, United Arab Emirates, IAAPA… more
Architect, Inventor, United States, IAAPA Hall of Fame 2019
Founder, Gillian's Wonderland Pier, Former Ocean City… more
President and CEO - Give Kids the World, United States,… more
Marty Sklar is an industry luminary who played a vital role… more
Wieland Schawarzkopf Gmbh, Germany
IAAPA Hall of Fame Member Richard Sherman composed iconic… more
Working in parks from St. Louis to Australia helped former… more
Ted Molter worked in the penguin enclosure at SeaWorld in… more
Bob Minick transitioned from a part-time job at Disneyland… more
Bo Kinntorph started his theme park career booking… more
Dennis Spiegel got his start in the attractions industry at… more
Jack Herschend, co-founder of Herschend Family… more
Peter Herschend is co-founder of Herschend Family… more
Phil Lindsey has enjoyed a long career working for museums… more
Marcelo Gutglas founded the first amusement park in Brazil… more
Ricardo Castillo Sinibaldi operates five amusement parks… more
When Mario Mamon was building a theme park in the… more
Tim O’Brien has enjoyed long career as a journalist… more
When Carl Hughes, president of Kennywood, was elected IAAPA… more
Bob Masterson took a collection of small museums filled… more
Chimelong senior counselor Tony Sze oversees operations of… more
In 1983, Rene Aziz opened his first park with a single ride… more
IAAPA Hall of Fame member John Graff helped Marriott… more
Longtime Disneyland marketing executive Jack Lindquist… more
Bob Rippy transformed Jungle Rapids into a successful… more
In his theme park career, Bob Gurr has worked on rides,… more
Gina Romano, the first female president of IAAPA, has had a… more