30 January 2004HONG KONG - Theme park veteran, Tom Mehrmann is joining
Ocean Park as chief executive officer on February 1.
Outgoing CEO, Randolph Guthrie, who will have served
four and a half years with Ocean Park, is returning to the
United States to retire.
Mehrmann comes on board at a critical time for Ocean
Park, as the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland nears.
In an effort to reposition Ocean Park as an
oceanarium-centred theme park, Mehrmann has joined a
government-led task force to outline long-term development
plans.
"This is my first opportunity to work directly in Asia,
and to build a park that meets the leisure needs of local
and international visitors to Hong Kong," Mehrmann said.
"But I join a very strong local team, and share Ocean
Park's passion to build a world-leading oceanarium-focused
theme park for the future.
"I also share its commitment to serve the marine mammal
conservation and education roles that have been central to
the Park since its foundation twenty seven years ago."
In 1977, Mehrmann joined Knott's Berry Farm, where he
spent 21 years. In 1988, he served as vice president and
general manager for Six Flags Marine World in California,
and most recently, Warner Brothers Movie World in
Madrid.