IAAPA President and CEO Paul Noland Resigns

Image: PHOTO: Space Mountain at Disneyland. (photo via Flickr/Justin Ennis)
Image: PHOTO: Space Mountain at Disneyland. (photo via Flickr/Justin Ennis)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 10:04 AM ET, Fri February 16, 2018

WHY IT RATES: The theme park industry will change as the IAAPA searches for a new CEO following the departure of Noland.-Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.


Today, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced Paul Noland has resigned as IAAPA president and CEO to accept a new executive position elsewhere in the attractions industry. The IAAPA Board of Directors will conduct a worldwide search for Noland's replacement.

IAAPA Chief Financial Officer Hal McEvoy will lead the global association for the attractions industry as interim president and CEO during the transition.

Noland was named IAAPA president and CEO in January 2013. Prior to joining IAAPA, he was a theme park consultant and a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors. Noland also held leadership positions at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Marriott International. An announcement regarding Noland's new role in the attractions industry will be made soon.

"Paul has led IAAPA through some of the most successful years in the association's 100-year history," said IAAPA Chairman and Liseberg President and CEO, Andreas Andersen. "In addition, he has managed an extensive expansion of member services, the continued globalization of the association, and the complicated relocation of IAAPA's headquarters from the Washington, D.C. area to Orlando. For this, we owe him a very warm thank you."

"It has been one of the true joys of my career to be associated with such a talented and committed staff and volunteer leadership," said Noland. "The association is well positioned for the future, and I know that its best days are ahead."

McEvoy joined IAAPA as chief financial officer in April 2017 following a successful 42-year career with Busch Entertainment Corporation/SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. He has an extensive background in corporate finance, accounting, financial controls, audit and operations.

"Hal's knowledge of the attractions industry and IAAPA is vast, and I am confident he will do an outstanding job leading the association during this important leadership transition," said Andersen.

IAAPA will conduct a global search for a new president and CEO. The search will be led by the IAAPA Compensation Committee.


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