Panel:
Jon Pake
Director of Operations
Gatorland
Jon Pake has been the Director of Operations at Gatorland since 1996. He is responsible for Retail, Food and Beverage, Photo, and Vending for the park. Jon Pake received a BA in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and an AA in Business from Saint Clair County Community College. Previous Retail management experience includes the Gap, Mass Brothers and Surreys Menswear. Jon taught Marketing for 6 years in Tampa area high schools as well as coaching basketball.
Andrew Hertz
Executive Vice President/General Manager
Miami Seaquarium
Andrew Hertz is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Miami Seaquarium. In his 14 years at the park his responsibilities have included being the Marketing Director and the Manager of Retail Operations prior to becoming General Manager in 2003. In addition to his duties at the park, Andrew serves Florida’s tourism community as the incoming chair of the Florida Attractions Association, is on the board of Visit Florida serving as its Treasurer, and has been appointed to the Florida Commission on Tourism by Governor Charlie Christ. In addition Andrew is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, serving on its Board of Directors the last 4 years, and has served in various capacities with the greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Miami CVB.
Renee Samels
Director, Project Management, Creative Services
Kodak
Renee Samels is Director of Project Management and Creative Services at the Kodak Company. After receiving her degree in Interior Design from Purdue University she began her career as a graphics designer in Chicago and worked there for several years before moving to central Florida in the early 90’s. She worked for Universal Studios and was on the original design team for Islands of Adventure prior to joining Kodak where she has worked for the last 10 years.
Renee is currently responsible for a team of graphic designers who handle the digital content of photography taken in theme parks with the ultimate goal of giving guests something they can’t get with their own cameras. She also serves as the Account Manager at the corporate level for Kodak’s sites at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, Herschen Family Entertainment and Six Flags.
