Kings Dominion general manager profiled by Richmond newspaper

I'm really surprised that Cedar Fair promoted someone from within who came up the Paramount Parks side. I guess Dick ran out of kids who wanted to be general managers.

^^or desks to measure!! ;)

Still love hearing that story on the podcast!!

The General Manager out at Dorney now was the VP of Finance at Kings Island when they were bought.

I've always maintained that PPs had the better customer service orientation and better theming, landscaping, etc. In terms of everything but the rides, PP had it all over CF...IMO.

I'd be happy if they just let people around the company do their jobs. I know people finger CP for that since that's where dad's office is, but it's a problem throughout the company, except at Knott's.

mlnem4s said:
Today, it is my hope that Cedar Fair and its management will go yet one step further by recognizing the contributions and talents of others that I don't think are fairly represented in management ranks. In particular, it is still fairly uncommon to find someone of ethnic background in the higher management ranks as well as individuals who may be gay/lesbian. Great companies are built on the strengths of a wide-range of backgrounds and life experiences in the management ranks; I believe recognizing and celebrating the contributions that, in particular, African-Americans and gay employees have made at Cedar Fair over the decades is the next logical step in respecting diversity at Cedar Fair.

I would hope they continue to hire the best people that they can find to do the job regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or whatever.

Did anyone else have "Battle Hymn of the Republic" playing in their head while they read mlnem4s' post? ;)

Any steps that have been taken toward a more diversified and qualified workforce is a positive thing.

In particular, it is still fairly uncommon to find someone of ethnic background in the higher management ranks as well as individuals who may be gay/lesbian.

Unless said individual is out, how would anyone know? And no, being married and/or having children is not necessarily proof that one is heterosexual.

I have to agree with Gonch and others: hire the best people regardless of who or what they are.

Cedar Fair can certainly be accused of a good ol' boys club mentality, but the answer to that is not arbitrary affirmative action. You still put the best people in place. Reading this bio, I'm sure this GM has the job because of her skills, not because she's a black woman.

Why did I expect this thread to go the race/gender route as soon as I saw the article. Predictable..

That being said.. I met Pat and shes got a good head on her shoulders. Other than a slight gaff that was made at media day for Dominator where she quoted speeds more than Kinga Ka (165 - but meant 65)- to which I cringed a bit, unfortunately while standing next to her.

Either way I think shes good for the park.. She knows the park well.. She knows the demographics of the visitors well. I dont think promoting within is a bad thing.. I wish her the best.

While I agree whole-heartedly that any business should always look for "the best person for the job" - there is a benefit gained by forging a team with a variety of backgrounds, interests, etc. You're more likely to acquire "group-think mentality" when everyone shares common beliefs, heritage, etc. If the Boss asks for dissenting opinions and gets none, the organiztion could be in trouble....

ridemcoaster said:
Why did I expect this thread to go the race/gender route as soon as I saw the article. Predictable..

Probably the same reason I expected someone to be condescending about the race/gender thing being brought up. ;)

right.. because my remark could be considered offensive.. Makes sense..

The old "you don't know unless" argument is, well, old. Seriously, with Dick appointing his kid to a GM position, you don't need any real inside scoop to see that the company doesn't exactly have a track record for hiring the right people, or even retaining them for that matter (see: mass-exodus of good Paramount people).

oh yeah.. I was amazed how many good people were lost at KD during the conversion. It was a crazy amount.

It seems more and more that you see some form of good ol' boy promotions.. Those that suck up to higher levels or have some form of relation seem to accelerate faster in some cases. I call my company the leaning tower of DC as we were a tad top heavy with the good ol boy promotions.. Fortunately a bit of that was exposed and the top was leaned out.. Been better for us too.

Thats why I use my method of promotion. Be an arrogant ass with network knowledge and make sure your boss gets some feeling that you know of all the network backdoors into a billion dollar company. :)

edit: Did I miss an arguement Jeff?

I know of many men and even a few women who have been promoted within the company who are gay.

edit - changed man to men.

S'gotta be the person who approved building SOB because that ride is friggin gay! ;)

I always laugh out loud when I hear people use the word gay in that way, Moosh... lol

Oh, me too...totally.