Ripley Entertainment Inc. President Bob Masterson, was officially elected IAAPA chair of the board for 2008 as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced. Bob Masterson has been with Ripley Entertainment since 1973. As president, Masterson has successfully guided Ripley through a period of unprecedented growth and diversification. During his tenure, Ripley Entertainment has become a leisure industry leader in trademark licensing, franchising, aquariums, and attraction operations. The company’s attractions entertain more than 13 million guests annually.

 

Masterson has extensive experience in leisure concept design, development, and construction. He has many years of hands-on experience overseeing the operation of Ripley’s 63 plus properties in 11 countries. Attractions within Ripley Entertainment include the world-famous Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museums; Ripley’s Aquariums; Ripley’s Haunted Adventures; the Guinness World Record Museums; interactive mini-golf courses; Super Fun Zone arcades; and the latest addition, a Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark resort in Niagara Falls. Additionally, Ripley Entertainment also owns a syndicated TV show and The Believe It or Not! cartoon panel Robert Ripley began in 1918, which is still seen daily in nearly 200 newspapers in 42 countries.

Masterson, a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States, has lived in Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Masterson is the first Canadian leader of IAAPA.

The board of directors also confirmed the election of following officers for the organization: Darrell Metzger, chief executive officer of Destination Developments for Ruwaad Holdings, LLC (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) - first vice chair; James “Chip” Cleary of Palace Entertainment (Riverhead, N.Y.) - second vice chair; Robert Rippy of Jungle Rapids (Wilmington, N.C.) - third vice chair; and Frank O’Connell, general manager of Hersheypark (Hershey, Pa.) - treasurer. Charlie Bray is president and CEO of IAAPA.

In addition, the following IAAPA members were elected to three-year terms on the board of directors at the association’s annual business meeting:

• John McReynolds, Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando, Fla., United States)
• Will Morey, Morey’s Piers (Wildwood, N.J., United States)
• Linda Fernandez, E.K. Fernandez (Kapolei, Hawaii, United States)
• Ken Cormier, Funtown/Splashtown ( Saco, Maine, United States)
• Kurt Mack-Even, Mack Rides (Waldkirch, Germany)
• Bill Sims, Sims Group (Orlando, Fla., United States)