AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS - 2020 ELECTION

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taken on these responsibilities and dedicated their Candidate efforts to help lead the club. While I have a vision, it Platforms requires the entire EC to create the reality. for In the past two years ACE has: • Launched a new website ACE Offices: • Expanded our member and industry communication efforts with improved IAAPA Expo coverage • Created the member-only online version of President ACE News Vice President Robert Ulrich • Given back to the community with charitable Turtletown, Tennessee efforts through the new “ACE Cares” initiative • Secretary Candidate Platform for President Started a well-received monthly podcast • Initiated a member recognition process with [email protected] and When elected your president two years ago • Continue to grow, now with over 6,000 members I advocated member participation, new member Treasurer recruiting, improved communication with members Personally, I am fortunate to have attended all of and the industry, and empowering entrepreneurialism the national events as president, and regional and to promote club “ownership” by all to demonstrate park events to the best of my ability. Presented in alphabetical why ACE is the premier coaster enthusiast social order, by office. club. The Next Term Since joining in 1995 I have continuously volunteered to help ACE become the best community While I am satisfied with ACE today, I think there All condidates submitted it can be. As an assistant (1997-2001), Southeast are still many areas for improvement. Elsewhere platforms for this publication. regional representative (2001-2010), region during this election is a bylaw change to add an director (2010-2014) and now as ACE president, operations director and redefine the membership my philosophy can be summarized as the “ACE director position. While ACE is recognized around Advantage.” As a member of ACE we should always the world within the amusement industry, I feel we’re Proposed unapologetically differentiate our excellence. not doing enough to acknowledge the individual members who really are the club. Constitution • ACE publications provide unique, creative and entertaining opportunities ACE is a unique social network, and there’s more and Bylaw • ACE is one of the few coaster enthusiast clubs to know more about you than just your coaster count. focused on history and preservation Through the email [email protected] we’ve Changes • ACE members are knowledgeable experts and started a set of member acknowledgment initiatives, influencers who help promote attractions and the first to send a small congratulatory gift tonew events parents when they add a new baby in the ACE family. • ACE is a community of volunteers whose only I’m hoping we begin to share career achievements motive is their enjoyment of roller coasters and other significant events in our members’ lives. In the future, when the industry looks at ACE I want it to recognize not only the organization but also the The Accomplishments individual members with their unique talents and As president, my first goal was to recruit a team contributions, which make our club great. of directors who would take ownership of a specific area of expertise and lead it. Without the dedicated But don’t think of this as believing we are an Executive Committee to back me up ACE would not elite. If anything, I want to be more approachable be the exemplary club it is today. I cannot express and transparent. I think ACE is welcoming now but my gratitude enough to the individuals who have I’d still like to see us invite more people into the tent. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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Additionally, I’ve been asked so many questions Con 43 has been postponed to 2021. We’ll their decisions be it in person or through other about how things work that I believe we could do meet the challenge to post the annual reports actions. I’ve had many friends speculate about a better job letting people know how decisions and hold the business meeting online, and also how life will be changed when this is all over. are made. have a way to answer member questions and I hope every ACE member continues to look communicate the candidate positions about forward to the next time we can get together, The Current Situation Is Temporary the 2020 ACE election. The online balloting whether it’s during an official ACE event or just process we’ve successfully used in the past is a an informal meetup. While I write this the world is in the midst of reassuring factor in this process. the COVID-19 crisis, and we’re hoping June can I hope to see you during much happier times still virtually enjoy the launch of “World Roller Even though no one knows when or what it in a queue. Stay safe and strong. Be healthy. Coaster Appreciation Month.” As a club we’ve will be like when the parks reopen, when they Thank you for your support and your vote. had to cancel the international trip, and Coaster do I think ACE should enthusiastically support 2020 in progress to try and engage with as many the events unfolding around the world began members in the process as possible. But, to transpire. I look forward to strengthening allowing members to take ownership of projects that relationship once we are able to convene and ideas brings more people into the successful together once again. As a club, ACE members operation of our club. Getting more people consistently raise near or at the top of all involved in volunteering and feeling invested in fundraising events we participate in, and it goes the club has been another of my favorite parts of to show how caring and involved ACEers are. serving on the Executive Committee. Another project I’m spearheading is the A new organization I created within ACE is inclusion of ACE information tables at parks the Youth Advisory Committee. It’s a group of during national events. The first occurrence of younger members who hold conversations and information tables was during the 2019 season JEFFREY NIEMIEC vet ideas with the goal of engaging with and and allowed us to interact with people who were Monterey Park, California attracting new members. While the coaster-riding intrigued by all the ACEers wearing badges on Candidate Platform for population is certainly diverse, many of the most lanyards. Interaction with guests varied by time Vice President avid fans of roller coasters and parks in general of day, but it allowed us to talk to people who are on the younger side. The membership of ACE were excited about coasters but have never • Region: ACE Southern California does not reflect this, and so the Youth Advisory heard of the club. If nothing else, some great • Formerly ACE Eastern Pennsylvania Committee attempts to address that disconnect. impressions were left on potential members and Region 2007-2017 Our work discusses the member experience they left with one of ACE’s business cards. from a youth perspective and if there is more we One of the best parts of serving as vice can be doing to make the club accessible and The most essential job performed by the vice president is the ability to meet and interact with relatable to younger people. ACE offers member president is chair of the Disciplinary Committee. members of this club. Over the past two years, I benefits to a wide array of coaster connoisseurs, When people are referred to me for a violation of have been able to meet more members as they and we as a club need to focus on attracting our bylaws, it is something I take very seriously. reached out with questions, suggestions or help those younger members, who can potentially be These are issues that compromise the integrity requests. Being able to serve in this manner has members and friends for decades. or functionality of our club. I’ve attempted to come with challenges and learnings, but acting strike a balance between fairness for individual as your vice president has reminded me why I ACE College Chapters is also a program that members coupled with what is best for the joined nearly 15 years ago: to share this passion took root within the past year. A pilot program club in the long term. As many of the issues with like-minded individuals who are willing to get operated at Beacon College in Florida for the pertain to social media, people need to be able up at 3 a.m., ride 28 times before getting off and 2019-2020 school year. From this first club to reasonably express themselves as they see clapping until their hands are raw for media day chapter at the college level, we have learned fit on personal pages while simultaneously at West Coast Racers. more about what college students are looking keeping the integrity of the club intact. As such, for within this kind of club environment. The ACE I am undertaking the project of drafting code of Over the past two years ACE’s membership College Chapters are always looking for more conduct articles that specifically cover social numbers have increased. I’m ecstatic to have students or college professors to undertake new media and online presence. ACE started over been in the room and part of the conversations programs at schools and continue to expand. As 40 years ago and pre-internet, but our code of and decision making that have tried to improve the program evolves, I am looking into ways to conduct must be kept current and respond to the the experience for members while raising the potentially partner with engineering programs realities of the world we operate in. This isn’t a profile of the club. While I can’t pretend that every or subjects related to the amusement industry. part of the job that is enjoyable for any party, but plan of action or new idea rolled out smoothly It’s a work in progress to develop the best path I ultimately care deeply about the integrity of this every time, I always try to act in the best interest forward for this type of new venture. organization. of the club. In an advisory role, I also oversee ACE On the personal side, I am a former electrical To try and encourage new membership, Cares, the segment of the club that works with engineer and current full-time high school I’ve created a few different working groups. charitable organizations to give back to worthy teacher who focuses on applied engineering These groups have produced conversations causes. Under the leadership of the chairperson, in the classroom. I am also head coach of the and ideas from committee members that led to the number of partner events with Give Kids school’s speech and debate team and work with some interesting actionable items. It’s a work The World were scheduled to increase before several other teams and individual competitors

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PAGE 2 AMERICAN COASTER ENTHUSIASTS - 2020 ELECTION in the Pasadena area. Approaching three years I help kids design their own coasters as part of a love of parks (and coasters), giving them a of living in California, I spent the first 29.8 years my engineering curriculum in hopes of imbuing a forum to meet friends and ride together, this of my life in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. My first love for coasters to the next generation. organization fosters friends and great memories. was the at Knoebels, and If you choose to retain me as your vice president, that first taste of coasters led me to pursue a ACE provides a service that cannot be I will be honored to continue to help keep ACE degree in mechanical engineering. To this day, replicated. By bringing individuals together with the most predominant coaster club in the world.

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ACE while we were learning to slow the losses. actively involved in the next two coaster debuts, We now have many tools, and the respect of the and the park and ACE partnered all the way to industry, to encourage parks to preserve their the final day of the park. Another success was heritage when possible. I was directly involved with SeaWorld San Antonio. I got the word with two coaster-saving efforts. A small group in mid-1996 that they were adding a coaster. of us spent about a year and a half speaking Although operated by Busch Entertainment, this at public hearings, speaking to the media, and was a new thing for the SeaWorld parks to open getting industry contacts involved to try and a coaster. I called and got in contact with Bob the save at Fair Park in Dallas. We PR director. My first challenge was to introduce were unsuccessful, but learned a lot about the ACE, and why I was calling. Two of us attended process. We did get the trains and station saved. that media announcement event, and it was then Four of us also visited the site of the Fairyland Bob really started to get a feel for how ACE could ROBERT REAGAN Park in 1989. We documented the ride help them. More than 50 ACEers were allowed to Fort Worth, Texas with photos and video, and then made the initial attend the media event, starting a long history of Candidate Platform for pitch to Gary Story at Frontier City. Although hosting ACE that continues to this day. The park Vice President modified for the site, it was a successful save hosted the regional winter event in 1999, and which still runs today. ACE helped open the Steel Eel with more than I’m an old school ACEer. I love to promote 100 in attendance. We also held a midseason and visit the traditional parks and to ride the A bit about myself. I’m married (almost event that was unique. SeaWorld had groups classic wooden coasters. A big piece of what 38 years), with two grown kids, and four for “Dinner with Shamu.” A meal was held by the ACE was founded upon over 40 years ago. I granddaughters. I’m a shipping transportation Shamu practice pool, with trainers answering didn’t grow up that way. I visited my local theme Load Planner for a logistics company. I’ve questions, and killer whales swimming a few feet park, Six Flags Over Texas, four times between attended many local, regional, national, and away. We were invited to be the very first group the 1960s and the 70s. A chance coincidence international coaster events since Coaster to try a lunch version, which is now a regular got me my first job in Ride Operations there in Con in 1981. I’ve both organized and helped occurrence. The ACE kids really loved getting up 1979. Still wasn’t a coaster nut, though. My first with events. I consulted with KIku Lani Iwatu close with these amazing creatures. time to ride the Shockwave was a mandatory of Termite Art Productions to recommend parks crew ride, in the spring of 1980. A funny thing for the 1996 special Wild Rides, plus follow-up During my time as regional rep, ACE happened that summer. Employee bus trips programs, including at the time virtually unknown members were able to attend the opening of were scheduled to other Six Flags parks. I took Holiday World. seven coasters in the region and we held about one to Georgia, and had so much fun that a few 10 regional events. Newsletters were published weeks later I went on another. This put me in St. I spent a while as a regional rep. A every two to three months. My time as rep ended Louis, with a stop on the way at Worlds of Fun. I challenging and humbling experience. Regions with the change to larger regions, with fewer reps was starting to get coaster comfortable by now. were much smaller then, and ACE did not and new national ACE funding. Just prior to this Then, I rode the Screaming Eagle. Everything provide a budget to reps. ACE had five reps time, I spent about 2 hours on the phone with changed. The location, the engineering, etc. I handling Texas and four bordering states. My the regional rep director describing what would was hooked. A friend was also a regional rep. He region unintentionally expanded when one rep make the regional rep system more effective, saw the spark and gave me an ACE app. I joined passed away and three others dropped out. I and I emailed what would become roughly the ACE in September of 1980. Member #604. I produced a newsletter, with postage and writing current format. love to share that story, since it helps renew the help from some generous fellow members. I wonder and joy this club has been in my life this expanded the mailout of these to include the In short, feel free to vote for me. I embrace last 40 years. members who were without an active rep. My the technology of the future, but can’t forget accomplishments included reestablishing the the past. My five years in the industry give me In the early days of ACE, the club was ACE relationship with AstroWorld. An enthusiast unique insight when working with the business. challenged in our goals. It was easy to promote more than 10 years earlier had made a negative I’ve successfully built relationships that ACE the new, but the old was at risk. We began public remark about a coaster train change to the continues. Since June of 1981, I’ve represented building relationships with the parks and builders Texas Cyclone. While I was a rep, I included PR ACE and the industry in the media more than 200 that continue to this day. We had to learn, through Rep Barb in the regional mailings, and invited times. I understand that our fun is the industry’s triumph and failure, how to save the classics. Of her to our winter events. A few of us got to attend business. The history of our industry is strongly the parks I visited between 1979 and 1990, eight the opening of Dungeon Drop in 1997, and we tied to the history of ACE. We need to go back parks are gone, along with 36 coasters I rode showed that ACE can be responsible with the to emphasizing the preservation of the classics. in them. Seventeen more coasters were closed media and can be beneficial to the park. This and moved. I feel privileged that I was a part of started a long relationship where ACE was

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friends that we have made through ACE and the diversity, equity and inclusion, which is work great memories that we continue to build. that I am passionate about. During my tenure as secretary, I have also continued my work as Since becoming secretary of ACE, I have a school leader on an administrative leadership continued to volunteer at local events and team working to turn around a failing middle have provided updates for ACE News about school. In this role I prepare agendas, and the Executive Committee meetings as well as facilitate and document meetings for six content some of the events in the New England region. teams, a group of coaches and two school During this time, I have learned so much about improvement teams. In this setting, I continue to the job of secretary, from setting up an eBoard to hone valuable collaboration skills, working with maintaining the copious and detailed records that a team of five instructional leaders to move our set ACE apart as one of the most professional school forward and hope to continue to work LISA ZAGARELLA enthusiast organizations around the amusement with the ACE Executive Committee in an equally Cranston, Rhode Island industry. Aside from my duties as secretary, I collaborative fashion, doing whatever I can to Candidate Platform for Secretary have assisted with preservation efforts by writing move our organization forward. donation letters and have applied my writing I am pleased to accept the nomination for skills to writing and editing copy for plaques I am excited for the opportunity to continue secretary of ACE. I am seeking a second term honoring members and parks. as secretary of ACE because I believe in the because I have learned so much during my mission of our club. I am grateful that I was first term and am excited for the opportunity to Outside of ACE I have continued to build entrusted with the opportunity to serve ACE continue to grow my skills in service of our great my leadership skills by teaching at the graduate during these past two years and look forward organization. Having joined ACE in 2013, I still level and attending Boston College’s Lynch to continuing to work behind the scenes to help consider myself a “new” member. Since starting Leadership program, which has afforded me the foster the memorable experiences that ACE a family, I have been fortunate to share many opportunity to network with leaders both inside provides for all of us. I remain committed to the ACE experiences with my husband and my and outside of the education industry and to gain future of ACE and welcome the opportunity to children. Both of my sons, Drew and Bruce, have insight around both the technical and adaptive help ACE continue to thrive. I appreciate your had their first coaster milestones as members aspects of organizational leadership. I have kind consideration of my candidacy and hope for of ACE. As a family, we are so fortunate for the also expanded my professional learning around your vote.

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confident I can fill the treasurer position. what to expect at an ACE event and had never even heard of Stricker’s Grove, the first My first experience volunteering with ACE park of the weekend. My husband, Bob, and I was helping at registration for regional events. arrived, found registration, and, as they say, This quickly grew to volunteering at national the rest is history. ACE had the entire park for events, both during registration and helping out in the afternoon, and we quickly discovered what the General Store. I am currently the co-planner a great organization we had joined. We were of the ACE international trips, having worked on blown away when we saw members, evidenced the Mexico and Japan trips. Unfortunately, our by name badges, operating the Tornado, and upcoming trip to Italy, scheduled for July 2020, others pitching in to cook lunch. Everyone was has been postponed. I am confident my overseas friendly and had a coaster story to share. Actual travel to many countries will continue to assist in tornado sightings and severe thunderstorms CHERI ARMSTRONG planning of future ACE international trips. did not dampen our fun as we headed to Kings Hatfield, Massachusetts Island, where we were treated like royalty. Every Candidate Platform for Treasurer I have supported ACE and its members in coaster was running and many drink stands were other ways as well. I have donated to ACE’s open, offering free beverages. In 1994 I became a member of this wonderful Preservation Fund and the National Roller organization, ACE. This is the best decision Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) Since that first event many years ago, I have I ever made. At first I joined for the love of through purchasing many auction items and attended 170 ACE events (21 conventions, 44 riding roller coasters, and now I continue for the have also donated numerous items for auction. additional national events, 111 regional events, friendships that have developed over the years. I have supported members in their fundraising four international trips and many park-sponsored The enjoyment of riding with friends who share for Give Kids The World and a Walk in the Park events. I have traveled extensively throughout my passion is one of the greatest benefits of (Six Flags New England event). Preservation is the United States and Canada, enjoying large ACE. Volunteering for ACE is one way I can always important to me, and I have supported corporate parks and small family parks. I have repay ACE for many years of fun. Leap The Dips, Zippin Pippin and other yet to find a park I have not enjoyed. I love to preservation efforts. I have also donated many support the small parks and appreciate the I am pleased to accept the nomination for ACE items to the NRCMA, which continues to promote family atmosphere they promote. I relish the treasurer. I have enjoyed serving in leadership the protection and preservation of roller coasters opportunity to experience all the wonderful positions as secretary and treasurer for the past and amusement park artifacts and memorabilia. history, beauty and attractions at each place. I eight years. These roles have provided me with have photographed each of the 1,500+ coasters experience that will be valuable if I am elected to My first ACE national event was the 1994 I have ridden and donated thousands of pictures continue to serve on the Executive Committee. Spring Conference at Stricker’s Grove, Kings to ACE News, RollerCoaster!, the ACE census Through my work history and experience I am Island and Kentucky Kingdom. I had no idea and ACE archives.

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For many years I enjoyed parks with my pleasure. Observing a park through a child’s eye give back to ACE for all the wonderful years of husband, Bob, who introduced me to this as he visits a park for the first time is a wonderful memorable events, the great people I have met hobby in 1971. I now have the pleasure and the experience. and the fantastic friends I have made. I want utmost enjoyment in sharing this passion with to continue to help in making sound financial our 11-year-old grandson. Sharing my love and I want to continue my role as ACE treasurer, decisions, and looking at all sides of the issues. I enthusiasm of coasters with him, and watching first because I have years of accounting truly appreciate your support. him have the same joy as I do, is my greatest experience. But, more important, I want to

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Section 5. The Region Director shall which of our services and initiatives affect our supervise the performance of all Regional membership the most. Proposed Representatives; oversee solicitation Bylaw Change #1 of volunteers, maintenance of lists of To Summarize: opportunities and members wanting to volunteer, and placement of volunteers; and If you vote for the change in the bylaws, you Creation of Operations Director and appoint Regional Representatives with the are voting to create the position of Operations Revision of Membership Director (formerly approval of the President. Director and revise the responsibilities of the Membership Services Director) position Membership Director, Publications Director and Section 7. The Operations Director Region Director, effective September 15, 2020. The Executive Committee has unanimously shall oversee the management of If you vote against the bylaws change, no new recommended the implementation of a bylaw membership records; the organizations’ position will be added and the Membership change that will allow for the creation of an information technology components, Services Director will continue to be responsible Operations Director position whose role is to including systems, website architecture, for both the technical and operational aspects support club operations, including website development, email and databases; of ACE, as well as the direct interactions with management, email communications, database and support the efforts with the members, including member recognition, administration and other indirect services to the implementation of tools and technology recruitment and retention. membership. The Membership Director position for the benefit of the club. Directors shall will focus on direct member services, including appoint staff to perform responsibilities membership questions, benefits, recognition within his or her area with the approval of and recruiting. To be able to add an additional the President. director position, amendment of the bylaw must be ratified by a majority of those members voting. Section 8. Directors shall appoint staff to perform responsibilities within his or her Bylaw Two: Directors – Proposed area with the approval of the President. modifications to Sections 1, 3, 5 and 7, and adding Section 8 (changes shown in bold Discussion: and strikethrough) After the previous reorganization, the Section 1. The Member Services Director Executive Committee realized that the shall oversee the recruitment and retention Membership Services Director’s responsibilities efforts for all ACE members; resolution were potentially overwhelming for one volunteer, of member issues; recruitment and and that ACE needed a director to focus on management of volunteers; management member recruiting, retention and recognition. of membership records and member issue resolution; solicitation and maintenance ACE is a growing organization and wants of ACE member benefits and maintenance to continue to provide the best services and of benefits and discounts; organization’s benefits possible to its members. By creating IT components, including systems, web the Operations Director position, the Member site architecture, development, email, and Services Director will be able to focus on databases; and design,; and purchasing, interfacing with and celebrating our current marketing, distribution, sale and reporting members, while continuing to develop ACE’s of ACE branded merchandise membership base to ensure the club’s future success. Section 3. The Publications Director shall supervise the preparation and publication Additionally, with the transition to ACE News of RollerCoaster!, and ACE News and becoming an online publication and the website the annual calendar; and undertake redesign, ACE has updated and continues to correspondence necessary for the expand its digital presence. The Operations completion of each issue; and oversee the Director will allow a dedicated volunteer to maintenance of the ACE photo archive. focus on maintaining and expanding the digital capabilities of the club, including the data around

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Bylaw Four: Membership, Section 1 Discussion: – Proposed modification to eliminate Proposed subsection G. (change shown in The Trial Membership was eliminated with Bylaw Change #2 strikethrough) the dues reduction. This category was also not successfully recruiting new members as G. Trial. Memberships are extended to any most trials did not renew as full members upon Elimination of the ACE Trial Membership individual for a period of six months with all expiration. membership benefits, except Trial memberships On October 19, 2019, the Executive are not eligible to vote in ACE elections and To Summarize: Committee eliminated the Trial Membership cannot register for international ACE events at category. To be able to eliminate this category the discounted member rate. Trial memberships If you vote for the change in the bylaws, permanently, amendment of the bylaw must be are available only once per person, are not you are voting to ratify the elimination of trial ratified by a majority of those members voting. available to current members or to memberships memberships. If you vote against this change the that have expired within the last 24 months, Trial Membership will remain in the Bylaws even and are not renewable except at regular annual though it is no longer being offered. No other membership costs. membership categories or benefits are affected.

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ARTICLE IV-Officers – Proposed timeframe for having been a member of ACE modification to Section 1 (additional text in good standing. The new language preserves Proposed shown in bold) the intention of the original language while being Constitution Change explicit that the nominee must be active and Section 1. The officers of ACE shall be the in good standing during the three-year period President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer before the election. Clarification of Candidate Qualifications and the Immediate Past President of ACE. Officers shall perform the duties prescribed by To Summarize: The Executive Committee has recommended this Constitution and its Bylaws. To be nominated the implementation of a constitutional change or elected, a member must be in good standing If you vote for the amendment, you are voting to clarify the membership qualifications for a for a period of at least three consecutive years to maintain a past precedent around the ACE candidate for an elected office. This change immediately prior to being nominated or elected. election procedures and to eliminate a potential ensures that the proposed candidate is currently A member may be elected to only one office. loophole that would allow someone who is not an active ACE member. To be able to implement currently a member in good standing to run for this change, a constitutional amendment must Discussion: office. If you vote against this amendment, the be approved by two-thirds or more of those lack of clarity will remain in the Constitution. members voting. The current language is unclear around the

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