Six Flags today announced Jim Reid-Anderson's successor in running the amusement park chain.
Mike Spanos, 55, will take over as President and CEO of Six Flags upon Reid-Anderson's retirement on November 18. Spanos is currently Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Middle East and North Africa for PepsiCo. On the same date, Richard Roedel, who has served on Six Flags Board of Directors since December 2010, will take over Reid-Anderson's role as Chairman.
“I am thrilled to join the dedicated and talented employees of Six Flags,” Spanos said in a statement released by the company. “Jim has built an amazing legacy, and I look forward to the next horizon of growth. It is a privilege to be able to lead such a superb organization.”
Reid-Anderson said, “As a major investor in Six Flags, I have the utmost confidence in Mike’s ability to further supercharge our growth initiatives, continue to drive innovation, and deliver significant short, medium and long-term value for our stakeholders.”
Spanos is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps from 1987-1993 before joining PepsiCo as a territory sales manager in Philadelphia, then working his way up through PepsiCo's North American operations. He oversaw PepsiCo's operations in China before taking on his current role with the soft drink and food service company.
Reid-Anderson joined Six Flags in 2010 before leaving his position briefly in 2016 and returning to his executive role the next year.
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“As a major investor in Six Flags, I have the utmost confidence in Mike’s ability to further supercharge our growth initiatives, continue to drive innovation, and deliver significant short, medium and long-term value for our stakeholders.”
And not a word about the guest experience.
FYI, Danny, in the current world of systems development, customers are considered stakeholders, so in an oblique way he was talking about the customer experience.
Now was he actually thinking about the customers when he made that statement? I don't think I'll take that bet.
This company needs to be whipped into shape. As Tom Lehrer says: when in doubt, send the Marines!
Did someone ask him if all he wanted to do was "Sell sugar water for the rest of his life"?
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Just a note, Jim Reid Anderson never left Six Flags in 2016. He became the Executive Chairman at that time and returned to his position of Chairman, President and CEO after.