Shapiro out as Six Flags CEO, former Paramount Parks takes interim position

My heart just died a little.

Article doesn't even mention Shapiro's name. Did Six Flags just get the ESPN treatment?

Umm... where is Shapiro headed?

In a way, I am not surprised. I always saw Shapiro as a transitional guy to get Six Flags out of the hole they were in. He has done that, and now it looks like he is moving on to bigger things.

I think the motivation is that he no longer has a material stake in the company. I can't say I entirely disagree if he split on his terms, because I suspect the financial incentive for him to stay did not involve any significant payoff. That's a shame, because I think he did all of the right things (mostly).

Hhhmmmm....Shapiro is looking for something to do now and Q Funding is looking for an expert to sit on the Cedar Fair board. Wouldn't that be something?!? ;)

I'd be all for it. Name him chairman even.

Ooooh! Shapiro at CF?

Yes, please.

Lord Gonchar said:
My heart just died a little.

Kind of feel the same way. It was such a feel good moment when Shapiro turned SF around for the better. While I like the interim replacement, it still sucks to see Shapiro gone. He definitely was a positive for the company.

Jeff said:
I'd be all for it. Name him chairman even.

Wouldn't that be a trip if somehow Shapiro became CEO of CF and Kinzel was gone?

I was kind of hoping that Al Weber would have been appointed to the CF board, since he did run half the parks that CF now owns. But now that he has jumped over to Six Flags, I guess that's not going to happen.

Wow, this really saddens me.

But, at least they went with an interim who I feel did a good job at running a successful chain pre-buyout. Wonder if he's able to be a candidate for CEO position? I wouldn't have a problem with that.

And, uh, yeah. What ya'll said about CFEC with Shapiro. Heck, even Snyder would be good for that board.

Lord Gonchar said:
My heart just died a little.

This, and...

Jeff said:
I'd be all for it. Name him chairman even.

This. At least get him on the board.

Lord Gonchar said:
Ooooh! Shapiro at CF?

Yes, please.

I agree!! The thought of Lo-Q at Cedar Fair parks absolutely makes me giddy!!

You know, I honestly think Shapiro learned the business well. And he seemed to learn from his mistakes. At first it was all "We're not building big rides, and focusing on family rides". But they've built a few good (so I've heard) wooden coasters. People complained about the advertising and what not, but in the end they emerged from bankruptcy with a fresh start.

I'd absolutely like to see him on the board at CF. Lo-Q, season passes that just work, and lets be honest, SF has put a lot of 'fun' back into their parks, and even focused on some decent theming and properties. Now we're all gonna be disappointed in whoever gets the job, since we all want Shapiro to get it so much ;).

It's a pretty lofty expectation to think he would take a position on CF's board. He's going to have his hands full with his next CEO gig, where ever it may be.

^I like your assessment of Shapiro.

He has become sort of a savior for Six Flags. He can only do good for other amusement park companies out there.

Jeff said:
I'd be all for it. Name him chairman even.

Oh my how we could have fun with this! I make a motion for someone to start a Facebook page to ask Q Funding to nominate as one of their candidates Mark Shapiro for Chairman of the Cedar Fair board...can I get a second?

If it worked to get Betty White on SNL just think of what we might be able to accomplish with this ;)

It'll only work if Shapiro decides to Lez it up 24 hours a day.