Cedar Fair CEO Dick Kinzel to retire at end of 2007 season

Who said he was gonna run the chain? I just don't want him leaving Minnesota.

You called him Dan. Maybe he goes by that but I know him as Larry MacKenzie. And, I said I didn't think he would be a candidate for the CEO position.

Well, if you read past 'Dan' you'd see me say I'd worry about him managing a larger CF property. Frankly, I want a guy who can wrangle two coasters in two seasons out of CF during a recession in my corner, ya know?

-'Playa

------------------
The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.

I really like Valleyfair. It is what it is, a nice park. MacKenzie may not become CEO but he may move up if other things shake out. I think WoF and Valleyfair are good training grounds for up-and-coming General Managers in the Cedar Fair chain.

After he leaves, I hope Knott's Scary Farm doesn't suffer.

Why would anything suffer? Do you think he is the only one who makes decisions? There is a Board of Directors and the General Managers at each park have a great deal of input into the planning process.

Knott's Scary Farm is perhaps the most successful Halloween program of any amusement park including the big boys. Why would Kinzel's leaving impact that whatsoever?

I suspect that the four-years notice has something to do with a master plan that involves 'grooming' a successor. I think Mr. Kinzel is setting things up for a very smooth transition to a CEO who has probably already been picked.......

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I wouldn't underestimate the importance of the CEO. He might have to answer to a board, but that board is primarily made up of bankers and lawyers. They understand dollars but I think it takes someone like Kinzel to make them understand the big picture. If you've ever talked to him or heard him speak, he's very good at breaking the business down into simple terms. If you didn't see the interviews we did with him, check them out:

http://www.guidetothepoint.com/content.aspx?channel=16

------------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

I know him pretty well. I am not saying he doesn't deserve credit for the success of the company. I am saying there are many people who should be given that credit. He was the leader, no doubt about it.

Some companies succeed because of their leaders, some succeed despite their leaders and in some cases it is a combination of the two.

For every Magnum there is a "let's change the parking fee in the middle of the season."

If my math is correct, then RK owns about 1.69% according to the SEC.

I'll guess we'll just have to wait and see... I mean there is NO way to know what is going to happen. This could be for the better or worse. I wouldn't start saying things like, "This is going to ruin the park chain" just yet.

------------------
Don't Fight It, Ride It, RAGING BULL!!!!!!- Six Flags Great America

I hope that it IS Dan Keller. I think that he is a great guy, and I really don't know why all of you are bashing him. I went to school with one of his Kids when we lived and Kansas City and I always saw him walking around Worlds of Fun talking to the people when he worked there. I think if he were CEO he would be more likely to show off how he, in fact, IS a people person.

Now tell me how im wrong. . . .

------------------
As Mitch always said, "If you had a freind who was a tightrope walker and he fell down just walking down the street, that would be completely unacceptable."
-Tomas

Well, since arriving at CP, no one ever sees him aside from media events. Various mid-level people accuse him of micro-management. Miears was not everyone's favorite, but there was a certain level of respect for him because he was visible without being too hands on, the exact opposite of hands-on yet invisible.

So far, I'm not entirely impressed.

------------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

Jeff,

A lot of people were happy when Keller left Missouri, *cough* Swoosh *cough* Kinzel has done an excellent job turning CF into an industry leader.