Jessica Naderman Named Vice President and General Manager at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom; Mike Fehnel Promoted to Business Intelligence Role at Cedar Fair Entertainment
Ryan Eldredge
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ALLENTOWN, PA (May 27, 2022) – Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom today announced that Jessica Naderman has been named vice president and general manager of the park. She succeeds Michael Fehnel, who will assume the role of corporate director of business intelligence strategic initiatives at Dorney Park’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
Naderman previously served as assistant general manager of Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston in Texas, one of 13 properties in the United States and Canada owned by Cedar Fair. She brings more than 20 years of experience in theme and water parks to her new position. Naderman began her career in 1998 in ride operations at what was then called Paramount Kings Island in Cincinnati. She later spent nearly seven years as manager of operations at California’s Great America. After working for Herschend Family Entertainment and Palace Entertainment for seven years, she returned to Cedar Fair as director of park operations for Valleyfair in Minnesota. She was promoted to the assistant general manager role at Schlitterbahn in March 2021.
Naderman is the first female general manager of Dorney Park in its 138 years of operation.
“Jess is a talented leader with an impressive track record in operations and management within the entertainment and leisure industry,” said Tim Fisher, chief operating officer of Cedar Fair. “We are confident that her skills and experience will help build on Dorney Park’s rich history of creating fun and lifelong memories for guests.”
“I am thrilled to take on this new role and lead the talented team at Dorney Park,” Naderman said. “My passion for the industry will contribute to our mission of inspiring lasting connections and lifelong memories for all by delivering amazing experiences. I am honored to be Dorney Park’s first female general manager.”
In Fehnel’s new role with Cedar Fair, he will focus on evaluating and implementing strategic initiatives aimed at maximizing the operational performance of the company’s premium products such as Fast Lane. These products are of growing interest to Cedar Fair guests and an important contributor to revenue growth. Fehnel has been a member of the Cedar Fair team since 1992. He began his career as a member of the Games department, and held positions of increasing responsibility in Merchandise, Admissions and Food & Beverage. He was named general manager of Dorney Park in 2013, then moved to North Carolina a year later to become general manager of Carowinds. Fehnel returned to Dorney Park in 2016 and has led the park since then.
“Mike brings significant operations and revenue management experience to this new role on Cedar Fair’s BI team. With his background and skilled leadership, Mike will be able to bridge between the analytics and operational nuances of our programs to inform and drive financial performance,” Fisher said.
“I am enthusiastic for this new opportunity to draw upon my past experience at Dorney Park and Carowinds to impact another area of our company,” said Fehnel. “Business Intelligence has become an important part of Cedar Fair, and I couldn’t be more excited to join that talented team.”
About Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Since 1884, Dorney Park has been the place families and friends have come to gather for a day of FUN. With more than 60 rides, shows, attractions, an area made just for kids, and a waterpark, Dorney Park has AMAZING fun for everyone. Only at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom will you find the most exciting and thrilling things to do in Allentown, PA, with over 60 world-class rides, one of the northeast’s largest waterparks, live entertainment, thrills for the little ones at Planet Snoopy, and amusement park favorite foods including a build-your-own funnel cake bar. Family-friendly special events will keep you coming back for new ways to play all season long.
About Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a publicly traded partnership and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. For more information, see www.cedarfair.com.
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