New CEO Brings World-Class Attractions Experience to a Northwest Icon

[GAcoaster]

Press Release from the Space Needle:

 

New CEO Brings World-Class Attractions Experience to a Northwest Icon

 

Space Needle Board Continues Its Futuristic Mission

 

SEATTLE, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- After an extensive nationwide search,

the Space Needle Board of Directors today announced the selection of Ronald

Sevart, a nationally-recognized veteran of the destination tourism

industry, as the new chief executive for the region's number one

attraction. The ownership of the Space Needle carries on its space age

focus by setting the standard for growth in the city of Seattle and the

Pacific Northwest.

 

The Space Needle, which will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2012,

continues to lead the way with new technology to enhance the visitor

experience and an environmental program that makes the tower a role model

for businesses and individuals across the region. Sevart is charged with

creating new and exciting growth opportunities for the company as it moves

into its second half-century.

 

Jeff Wright, Chairman of the Board, said, "The board's selection of Ron

Sevart is another key element in our plan to grow the Space Needle's

position as a cutting-edge Northwest business and to reinforce our total

commitment to the renaissance of the Seattle Center area. We are anxious to

have Ron take the reins and move us into exciting new directions."

 

Sevart brings extensive experience in the attractions industry to the

job of CEO, having directed oversight of more than $400 million in capital

projects including major attraction development, entertainment venues,

restaurants and water resorts. His 20 years of leadership experience have

been focused on guest service, marketing, entertainment, operations and

revenue growth.

 

He was Park President of the three largest and most profitable Six

Flags properties including Six Flags New England in Massachusetts, Six

Flags Great America in Chicago and Six Flags Great Adventure, Hurricane

Harbor and Wild Safari in New Jersey. At Six Flags Great Adventure, Sevart

helped launch the tallest, fastest roller coaster on the planet -- Kingda

Ka -- a coaster that soars 456 feet in the air at 128 mph.

 

Outside of his Six Flags experience, he has managed a $600 million

portfolio of 10 indoor water resorts located throughout the US and aided in

the development of $150 million Key Lime Cove Resort in Chicago. He

consulted with the Emaar Malls Group and supported the development of

marketing, staffing and operations plans for the Dubai Mall attractions,

including The Dubai Aquarium, Kidzania, Sega Indoor Theme Park, an Olympic

sized Ice rink as well as The Burj Dubai Viewing Experience at the Burj

Dubai, the tallest building in the world.

 

Sevart was educated at the University of Kansas where he majored in

advertising in the William Allen White School of Journalism. Sevart's wife

Michele is a behavior analyst focused on children and adults with

developmental disabilities and teaches at the Chicago School of Psychology.

They have three children, Zoe (6), Zach (4) and Lexi (3). The family plans

to relocate to the Seattle area by fall.

 

About the Space Needle

 

The Space Needle officially opened on April 21, 1962 - the first day of

the World's Fair. It remains the most popular attraction in the Pacific

Northwest today.

[The Master]

I have been up the Space Needle, it's very nice. I think NY could learn something from Seattle with their old world's fair stuff.

[Guest warnerleroy]

Interesting! Maybe this could make some sort of connection between the Space needle and Six Flags. Years to come, a Space Needle themed Observation tower would be cool. Maybe we could get Starbucks to be a corporate sponsor (if anybody doesn't get it, Space Needle is famous for having a Starbucks at it's highest point)