Six Flags Announces Reintroduction of Park Presidents at 10 Parks

Apr 22, 2026

Earlier today, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced the reintroduction of park presidents at 10 of the company’s key properties. Each park president will serve as a single, accountable leader with clear responsibility for overseeing park performance, operations and the overall guest experience. This role is designed to help these parks maximize opportunities and respond quickly within their local markets.

“These changes are about putting leadership, expertise and accountability as close to our guests and team members as possible,” said John Reilly, president and CEO of Six Flags. “By strengthening park-level leadership, and aligning our support model with our strategic priorities, we’re empowering our teams to move faster, innovate locally and deliver exceptional experiences every day.”

But, who are these new leaders? Longtime theme park fans will likely recognize most of the names, but may not realize the park presidents at these ten properties bring with them a combined three centuries worth of industry expertise to Six Flags leadership. Here’s a quick breakdown of the new Park Presidents, and where they’ve spent their careers in the industry!

Carowinds – Bridgette Bywater

Bridgette Bywater brings 36 years of hands-on amusement industry experience, with a career built on operational excellence, safety leadership and people-first culture. Before becoming Park President, she served as General Manager of Kings Dominion & Soak City and as Corporate Director of Operations for Cedar Fair, leading enterprise-wide COVID response efforts. Her leadership path also includes senior roles at Worlds of Fun and Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom. Bywater is known for her precision, empathy and belief that attention to detail drives unforgettable guest and associate experiences.

Worlds of Fun: 1999-2004 (Manager of Admissions & Park Services, Manager of Aquatics & Admissions, Manager of Rides & Park Services)
Geauga Lake: 2004-2005 (Director of Operations)
Oceans of Fun: 2005-2008 (Park Manager)
Worlds of Fun: 2008-2019 (Director of Safety & Security, Director of Park Operations)
Cedar Fair Corporate: 2019-2020 (Corporate Director, Operations)
Kings Dominion: 2021-2025 (Vice President/General Manager)

Cedar Point – Colleen Brady

With 31 years in the amusement industry, Colleen Brady is a proven leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to operational excellence and guest satisfaction. Her experience includes serving as General Manager of Wildwater Kingdom, Vice President of Operations, Assistant General Manager and Park Manager at Cedar Point. Brady leads with a focus on developing strong teams, driving consistency, and delivering the world-class thrills and experiences that define Cedar Point as America’s Roller Coast.

Geauga Lake: 1995-
Wildwater Kingdom
Six Flags Worlds of Adventure: Early 2000s- (Operations Manager)
Cedar Point: 2012-Present (Director of Park Attractions, Director of Park Operation, VP of Park Operations, Assistant General Manager, Park Manager)

Six Flags Over Texas – Pete Carmichael

Pete Carmichael brings more than 30 years of industry experience, beginning his career as a ride operations intern and rising through progressive leadership roles across the company. His background includes serving as Park President of Six Flags St. Louis and Six Flags New England, as well as Regional Vice President and General Manager of Six Flags’ Northeast parks. Now leading the company’s founding flagship park, Carmichael is focused on honoring Six Flags’ legacy while continuing to raise the bar on thrills, entertainment, and guest experience.

Six Flags New England: 2008-2015 (Director of Operations)
Six Flags St. Louis: 2015-2018 (Park President)
Six Flags New England: 2018-2025 (Park President)
Six Flags Corporate: 2025-2026: (Regional GM, Northeast)

Kings Island – Tony Carovillano

Tony Carovillano has spent 42 years in the amusement industry, beginning his journey as a ride operator at Kings Island. His career includes leadership roles at Carowinds, Worlds of Fun, and Kings Island, where he has served as Director of Park Operations, Vice President and General Manager, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Operations. Carovillano’s leadership is rooted in operational excellence, associate engagement, and preserving Kings Island’s reputation as a premier family destination.

Kings Island: 1985-1995 (Seasonal Ride Operations), 1996-2003 (Area Manager of Park Operations)
Carowinds: 2003-2007 (Manager of Attractions)
Kings Island: 2007-2016 (Manager of Park Operations, Director of Park Operations)
Worlds of Fun: 2016-2022 (VP/GM)
Kings Island: 2022-Present (AGM, VP Operations, Park Manager)

Six Flags Great Adventure – Mike Fehnel

Mike Fehnel brings more than three decades of industry experience, having started his career as a seasonal associate in 1992. His background includes park leadership and revenue strategy roles, previously serving as General Manager of Dorney Park and Carowinds, and leading corporate initiatives across Fast Lane, retail and games operations. A former president of the Pennsylvania Parks & Attractions Association, Fehnel now leads Six Flags Great Adventure with a focus on growth, innovation, and an elevated guest journey.

Dorney Park: 1992- (Seasonal)
Dorney Park: 2005-2014 (Assistant Director of Revenue Operations, Director of Revenue Operations, Vice President/Assistant General Manager, VP/GM)
Carowinds: 2014-2015 (VP/GM)
Dorney Park: 2016-2022 (VP/GM)
Cedar Fair/Six Flags Corporate: 2022-2025 (Corporate Director of Strategic Initiatives – Retail)
Six Flags Great Adventure: 2025-Present (Park Manager)

Knott’s Berry Farm – Raffi Kaprelyan

With 47 years of amusement industry experience, Raffi Kaprelyan brings deep expertise and steady leadership to Knott’s Berry Farm. His distinguished career includes serving as General Manager of Knott’s Berry Farm, General Manager of Canada’s Wonderland, and most recently as Regional Vice President and General Manager for Six Flags West Coast parks. Raffi is known for balancing historic preservation with innovation, ensuring Knott’s continues to delight guests while honoring its one-of-a-kind heritage.

Canada’s Wonderland: 2006-2011 (VP/GM)
Knott’s Berry Farm: 2011-2021 (VP/GM)
Cedar Fair/Six Flags Corporate: 2021-2026: (SVP, Operations & Guest Service, Regional GM/VP – West Coast Parks)

Six Flags Great America – John Krajnak

John Krajnak brings more than 32 years of experience in the theme park and attractions industry. He began his career in Group Sales, progressed through Marketing, and served as Director of Marketing before advancing to Park President and later Regional Vice President and General Manager of Six Flags parks in the Midwest. Now returning to lead Six Flags Great America during its 50th Anniversary season, Krajnak is focused on celebrating the park’s legacy while delivering next-level thrills and guest experiences.

Six Flags Great America: 1994-2025 (Director of Marketing, Park President)
Six Flags Corporate: 2025-2026 (Regional General Manager – Midwest)

Canada’s Wonderland – Christopher Mortensen

Christopher Mortensen brings 24 years of experience across general management, operations, and guest experience. His career includes leadership roles at Noah’s Ark Waterpark, American Dream, World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall and Canada’s Wonderland, where he began on the front line before advancing into senior leadership. Returning as Park President, Chris blends operational expertise with a deep personal connection to the park.

Canada’s Wonderland: 2002-2014 (Attractions Operator, Lead, Supervisor, Sr. Area Manager, Manager – Ride Operations, Rides Maintenance Inventory & Support Manager)
World Water Park (West Edmonton Mall): 2014-2018 (General Manager)
American Dream Mall: 2018-2022 (Senior Attractions Director, Vice President – Attractions)
Noah’s Ark Water Park: 2022-2026 (General Manager)

Six Flags Magic Mountain – Brian Oerding

Brian Oerding brings 26 years of amusement industry experience, with a career rooted in park operations, rides, entertainment and public safety. He has held multiple senior leadership roles at Carowinds including Vice President and Park Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Vice President of Operations. Oerding’s leadership focuses on empowering teams and ensuring Magic Mountain continues to lead the industry in thrills and innovation.

Carowinds: 2008-2026 (Manager of Operations, Director of Park Operations, Vice President of Operations, Vice President/Park Manager)

Six Flags Over Georgia – Richard Pretlow

Richard Pretlow brings 17 years of amusement industry experience, with a strong background in revenue strategy and operational discipline. His leadership roles include President of Six Flags America & Hurricane Harbor, President of Morgan’s Wonderland and Vice President of Revenue at SeaWorld San Antonio. Pretlow now leads Six Flags Over Georgia with a focus on disciplined growth, operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg: 2009-2011 (Business Unit Supervisor)
Sesame Place: 2011-2015 (Manager, Culinary Operations)
Crayola Experience: 2015-2018 (Revenue Manager)
Six Flags Great Escape: 2018-2021 (Director of In-Park Services)
Six Flags America: 2021-2022 (Park President)
SeaWorld San Antonio: 2022 (VP of In-Park Revenue)
Morgan’s Wonderland: 2023-2025 (President)
Six Flags Corporate: 2025-2026 (Corporate Director, International In-Park Services & Operations)

Share