Up Front With Mary Ann Powell: CEO/General Manager Of Pacific Park

POSTED MAY. 27, 2012, 11:00 PM

BRENTON GAREN / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mary Ann Powell has spent more than 15 years taking Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, LA’s only admission-free amusement park, to new heights. As CEO, her sights set on improved profitability, streamlined operations, and exceptional guest service, she has led the way for 16 new amusement rides and attractions, complete midway games refurbishment, creation of a new “Family-Share” rides area, and the renovation and branding of the oceanfront food plaza.

Powell’s strategic vision and creative marketing skills have generated record setting EBITDA growth for the organization since she joined the team in 1997. She also implemented an industry leading customer service program for Park employees.

The Santa Monica Pier, home to Pacific Park, plays host to 6.5 million visitors annually.

In 1994, Powell was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA. She was responsible for all advertising, public relations, promotions, and group sales. Paramount’s Great America enjoyed its largest single season attendance to date of 2.5 million visitors during Powell’s tenure.

For more than eight years, she served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing for Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. Under Powell’s direction, the themed dinner attractions were successfully launched in Dallas, Texas; Meadowlands, N.J.; and Schaumburg, IL.

Prior to joining Medieval Times, she held the position of public relations manager for Six Flags Movieland Wax Museum in Buena Park, CA, from 1981 to 1983.

Read the rest of the article and her interview here.