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Chip Cleary Stepping Down as President and CEO of IAAPA; Paul Noland to Take Reins

Paul Noland

Alexandria, VA, USA (June 26, 2012) — The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) today announced IAAPA President and CEO Chip Cleary has decided to return to a leadership position within the theme park industry after the end of the year. Paul Noland, theme park consultant, IAAPA Board member, and former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts executive, will take over as IAAPA President and CEO on Jan. 1, 2013. The leadership transition will begin this fall.

Noland is currently Principal and CEO 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 has accomplished a great deal as president and CEO of IAAPA,” said Managing Partner of Europa-Park and Mack Rides in Germany and 2012 IAAPA Chairman of the Board, Roland Mack. “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 organization’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.”

“We are fortunate to have Paul lined up to lead IAAPA after Chip leaves,” Mack added. “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.”

“I 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,” said Cleary. “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,” Cleary added.

“I am excited about this great opportunity with an organization I respect in an industry I love,” said Noland. “I look forward to working with our members and their diverse businesses around the world to move our association forward together.”

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded in 1918, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions worldwide and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry. IAAPA represents more than 4,300 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 90 countries. Member facilities include amusement/theme parks, waterparks, attractions, family entertainment centers, arcades, zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, resorts, and casinos. IAAPA is a nonprofit organization. Funds generated for the association by its involvement in trade shows and other activities are returned to the association to fund services for its members and the industry. IAAPA maintains regional offices in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and the association’s global headquarters is in Alexandria, Virginia, United States. www.IAAPA.org

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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