Park People
www.parkworld-online.com Q Lines
John Fitzgerald takes the reins J
John F. Fitzgerald
recently became the new Chief Executive
Officer of Apex Parks Group, and took time out to talk to Park
World about his array of new responsibilities.
How will you continue Al Weber's vision? Al, who was truly my best friend, dedicated his life to creating family thrills and entertainment in an environment in which compassion mattered and authenticity flourished. He and I also shared a passion for the business and a love of people and conversation. Apex is built on Al’s vision with a strong leadership team dedicated to delivering the best family entertainment possible and best-in-class customer service. I will strive to develop that team further and help Apex deliver on its promise.
What criteria do you adhere to when considering new acquisitions? There are really only two criteria that matter when we consider new acquisitions. Firstly, whether the acquisition will drive shareholder value. And secondly, whether the asset to be acquired is something of which we can be proud. We have very high standards for an excellent guest focused product and best-in-class customer service, and we can only
ohn F. Fitzgerald is the new Chief Executive Officer of Apex Parks Group, succeeding the late Al Weber. Fitzgerald, 54 and married to wife Kristin, is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience. He most recently served as a consultant to Apex on strategic initiatives. Prior to joining Apex Parks Group, Fitzgerald was the Park President of Six Flags
Great Adventure & Safari and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson, New Jersey, for more than six years. Before Six Flags, Fitzgerald was a general manager and executive at several domestic and international theme parks. He began his career as a ride operator at Great Adventure. Apex, founded in 2014, is a privately held company based in Aliso Viejo, California with 13 family entertainment centers, two
water parks, and two amusement parks in California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana and New York. Apex Parks Group is currently one of the largest owners of family entertainment centers in the United States.
be proud of an acquisition if it already delivers or can be made to deliver family thrills and fun in a way that meets those standards.
Would you ever expand outside America? Expansion outside the United States is not our focus right now, but one should never say no. If the right opportunity presented itself, we would explore it if it met with the criteria stated above.
Which properties are the star performers in your portfolio, and where is there untapped potential? We really do have a wonderful portfolio of parks and FECs spread across the United States, and there are plenty of opportunities for organic growth at each one of them. I don’t think it is provident to call out one property and team or another just yet, but let me say that I have been impressed by the quality of both the team and properties at Apex.
JUNE 2017
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