Phil Bender
Fort Collins,CO
Summary
Retired Amusement and Water Park Executive with over 40 years experience running a Fortune 500 company. Entire career with same company with rapid advancement throughout career. At retirement reported directly to CEO. Skillset as a proven operations and amusement park operator. Also served on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Vice President of Operations
Cedar Fair Entertainment
12.2012 - 09.2019
Oversaw all aspects of Operations for 15 amusement parks and water parks across US and Canada. Also oversaw all of the parks General Managers. Reported directly to the CEO.
Also all of the corporate Vice President ‘s responsible for all of the following departments reported directly to me.
Maintenance, Food Operations, Safety, Merchandise, Construction, Park Operations, Special Events, Hotel Ooerations, Marina Operations
Vice President of Operations
Cedar Fair Entertainment
12.2009 - 12.2012
- Oversaw all aspects of Park Operations for 12 amusement parks and water parks.
- Half of park GM’s also reported to me directly.
Vice President General Manager
Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
01.2000 - 12.2009
Oversaw all aspects of running an amusement park and water park.
Vice President of Retail Operations
Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
09.1995 - 12.2000
Oversaw all aspects of Food Operations and Retail Operations at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. Reported directly to GM.
Food Services Director
Valleyfair Amusement Park
04.1990 - 12.1995
Responsible for all aspects of Food Operations
Food Service Manager
Valleyfair Amusement Park
12.1983 - 09.1990
Oversaw all aspects of in park Foid Operations and Catering.
Purchasing Manager
Valleyfair Amusement Park
04.1979 - 12.1983
Responsible for purchasing all food products for amusement parks as well as operations of warehouse.
Education
Bachelor Of Applied Arts And Science - Political Science
Miami University
Oxford, OH05.1978
Certification
Certified Attractions Executive
Timeline
Executive Vice President of Operations
Cedar Fair Entertainment
12.2012 - 09.2019
Vice President of Operations
Cedar Fair Entertainment
12.2009 - 12.2012
Vice President General Manager
Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
01.2000 - 12.2009
Vice President of Retail Operations
Worlds of Fun Amusement Park
09.1995 - 12.2000
Food Services Director
Valleyfair Amusement Park
04.1990 - 12.1995
Food Service Manager
Valleyfair Amusement Park
12.1983 - 09.1990
Purchasing Manager
Valleyfair Amusement Park
04.1979 - 12.1983
Bachelor Of Applied Arts And Science - Political Science
Miami University
Similar Profiles
Chris GariepyChris Gariepy
Games Associate at Cedar Fair EntertainmentGames Associate at Cedar Fair Entertainment
Austin O'ConnellAustin O'Connell
Systems Engineer at Cedar Fair EntertainmentSystems Engineer at Cedar Fair Entertainment
May GeenMay Geen
Kings Dominion Ride Operator at Cedar Fair EntertainmentKings Dominion Ride Operator at Cedar Fair Entertainment
Vanessa HorvathVanessa Horvath
Merchandise Supervisor at Cedar Fair Entertainment CompanyMerchandise Supervisor at Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Madelyn LaushmanMadelyn Laushman
Server, Bartender, Barista at Ace Café (Extension of Ace Gillett’s)Server, Bartender, Barista at Ace Café (Extension of Ace Gillett’s)