Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 8, 2002
DENNIS L. SPEIGEL is President of International Theme Park
Services, Inc. He is internationally recognized as a leader and
expert in the theme park/leisure industry with over 40 years of
professional experience. Mr. Speigel directs International Theme
Park Services, Inc., with exceptional business and solid
financial judgment, creating success for the clients of ITPS. Mr.
Speigel started as a ticket taker/seasonal employee at Coney
Island Amusement Park in Cincinnati, Ohio. He worked his way to
Assistant Park Manager of Coney Island and then Kings Island
Theme Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was Assistant General Manager.
In 1974, Mr. Speigel became the Vice President and General
Manager of Kings Dominion/Lion Country Safari in Richmond,
Virginia. He was also responsible for managing the park for Taft
Broadcasting and the Kroger Company. He also successfully opened
Lion Country Safari (a wild animal preserve). Formerly affiliated
with the Taft Broadcasting Company, Mr. Speigel served as Vice
President of Operations from 1978-1981. In 1994, Mr. Speigel was
appointed as Premier Advisor to China's Association of Amusement
Parks and Attractions. In this role, he advised on all matters
pertaining to safety and other industry-related matters. Mr.
Speigel has a Bachelor of Science degree from Morehead State
University. He was awarded the 1993 Outstanding Service Award by
the IAAPA for his concept, development and implementation of the
IAAPA Educational Program at the Cornell School of Hotel
Management. Mr. Speigel is a member of the World Leisure and
Recreation Association, the World Waterpark Association, and the
Association of Arabian Amusement Attractions. Mr. Speigel is also
a member of the Morehead State University Foundation, Inc., Board
of Trustees. Profile
going on in the industry?
Mr. Speigel: Let me give you some background. Let's go to the
1960s for just a second. The 1960s were,
