Introducing John Dunlap, the forward-thinking leader guiding Five Star Parks & Attractions. Since stepping into the role of the company's inaugural CEO in January 2022, John has overseen its impressive expansion from 3 to 27 locations across 13 states, solidifying its standing as one of the most innovative and fastest growing family entertainment companies in the US.

John's career reflects his steadfast dedication to the amusement and hospitality sectors. Prior to joining Five Star Parks, he held notable positions including President of SeaWorld & Sesame Place in California, founder and CEO of Iconic Attractions Group, and Executive Director of the renowned San Diego Zoo.

Educated at the University of Virginia, where he earned his Bachelor's degree with distinction, and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he attained his MBA, John further honed his expertise with certifications in executive leadership, financial management, and food service management from Cornell University.

John currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Jenny and their children John, Evelyn, and William, where they enjoy spending quality time together and engaging in community activities. Known for his down-to-earth nature, John values the simple joys of family life and cherishes the connections he makes within his local community.

Eric Hayes, CFO, is a proven financial executive with more than 20 years of experience in finance and private equity. He joined Five Star in April 2022. Previously, he served as CFO of two healthcare services companies. Mr. Hayes has also spent time at several financial sponsors, including Backline Partners, KRG Capital Partners and Norwest Mezzanine Partners. He received a BA from St. John’s University.

As the Chief Operating Officer at Five Star Parks and Attractions, Wes Marks leads operations for 27 family entertainment centers in 13 states. He is an Oz Principles certified leader who inspires people of all ages to escape and play through immersive and interactive experiences. With over 25 years of experience in the amusement, restaurant, and entertainment industry, Wes has a proven track record of growing top-line sales, creating world-class guest satisfaction, and developing operational excellence.

Before joining Five Star in June 2022, Wes was the COO at the Department of Wonder, a mixed-reality immersive venue that dissolves the boundaries between physical and digital entertainment. He was instrumental in launching and scaling this innovative concept. Wes also served for over a decade in various leadership roles as the Senior Regional Director of Operations and Head of Field Operations at Main Event Entertainment, where he oversaw more than 45 locations and supported multiple new center openings during Main Event’s national expansion.  Wes is a humble servant leader who stands up for his team, supports them through complex challenges, and expresses his appreciation for their hard work. He is passionate about delivering boundless storytelling experiences and fun for every guest.

Troy has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in the worlds of sales and marketing.

He has led and help build the sales and marketing organizations for such notable entertainment, hospitality and resort brands as Dave & Buster’s, Main Event, American Golf and Fogo de Chao.

Troy has extensive knowledge of the sales and revenue generation process, but he’s also a dedicated student of behavioral analytics, technology trends and marketing tools that shape the sales process in today’s world.  He combines his passions for teaching and coaching with helping people across departments to work together to build a winning corporate and culture.  

His leadership style is anchored in the belief that, “You cannot motivate anyone. You can only inspire a motivated person.”

Troy grew up in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in education.  Today he lives in Frisco, Texas, where he spends time with his wife, five children, and four grandchildren; coaches youth athletics; focuses on his on passion for sports and fitness; and tackles DIY projects around his home.

Craig Wescott moved to Branson, MO in 1980, when his father Lee Wescott founded The Track Family Fun Parks, the legacy company for the growing Five Star Parks & Attractions brand. Craig graduated with Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Baylor University. After a two-year stint in public accounting in Texas, Craig returned to Branson in 2000 to continue the legacy his father started. Growing up, Craig had a front row seat to how his father and business partners treated and engaged with staff members, guests, and the community, all while balancing working hard and having fun doing it. Craig and his partners continually strived to do the same for the next 20 years. Since 2021, that legacy has continued with Five Star Parks & Attractions.

Craig has enjoyed serving the community in many ways through the years, including with the chamber/CVB, school district, city, and non-profit organizations. Beyond connecting with people, Craig’s true passion is music. He enjoys playing music at church, and his band Mile Zero has played around the Branson area and beyond since 2006. Craig and wife Amy have two daughters.

As the VP of Entertainment, Jeff oversees Five Star Parks attraction mix, games, redemption and all things that make Five Star Parks fun!   From design layouts of new builds to current location refreshes, Jeff is able to use his 25 years of Family Entertainment industry experience in developing the best guest experience.  Starting with Craig's Cruisers out of Michigan, Jeff has designed, built and operated FECs.   Always keeping an eye out for "what's next" for Five Star Park locations, Jeff stays in front of industry trends while perfecting operations with a concentration on guest experience and throughput.  

Family comes first.  Married to Tammie for 30 years.  Has one daughter and a niece (unofficially daughter #2) and now 2 son-in-laws!  A huge Michigan State Spartan and Buffalo Bills fan.  Claim to fame, Jeff is the bass player for the #2 rated Cover Band in Michigan, The Rocket Fuel Haulers!

Anne Hyde, a licensed CPA, serves as the Vice President of Accounting at Five Star Parks & Attractions, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in financial and accounting leadership roles across numerous industries. Anne has extensive experience in integrating financial systems, establishing robust internal controls, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and demonstrating strong financial acumen to ensure organizational efficiency and compliance. She has led companies through mergers, acquisitions, and company-wide ERP implementation, adeptly managing significant change with a team approach. Beyond her professional endeavors, Anne finds joy in hiking across the picturesque landscapes of her home state, Colorado.

As the Vice President of Technology at Five Star Parks, Thomas is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. With a robust background in IT management and a passion for innovation, Thomas has been instrumental in developing interactive, tech-driven attractions and optimizing operational efficiencies. Under Thomas's leadership, the center has seen significant advancements in digital ticketing systems, virtual reality experiences, and mobile app functionalities, making visits more engaging and convenient for guests. Thomas's focus on cybersecurity ensures that customer data is protected, while also leveraging technology to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors. Committed to pushing the boundaries of technology in entertainment, Thomas continues to spearhead initiatives that set Five Star Parks apart as a leader in family entertainment

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Boasting a remarkable 30-year career in the entertainment industry, Ted has held diverse leadership roles including general manager, director of training, owner/operator, and currently serves as vice president of operations.  

In these roles, he has played a pivotal role in overseeing facility construction, systems development, comprehensive training programs, and new location openings. Ted has continuously demonstrated strong leadership through strategic planning, employee development, and ensuring top-of-the-line operations. His contributions have been integral to the foundation and success of multiple brands.

With a passion for engaging teams, Ted is committed to delivering world-class facilities and ensuring unforgettable guest experiences. He currently spearheads the success of Celebration Station, Fun Land, and Craigs Cruisers brands.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Ted now resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where he enjoys quality time with his family, and finds joy in restoring classic cars and undertaking DIY projects.

Steve serves as the Regional Vice President for Five Star Parks and Attractions, he leads the Scene 75 and Malibu Jack's Brands.  Steve has spent the last 10 years in the family entertainment space with increasing levels of leadership.  Prior to family entertainment Steve was a multi-unit leader in casual dining.  His passion for hospitality has been a consistent in his career.  Steve prides himself on teaching and coaching leaders and driving long-term results.

When not working Steve enjoys time with his family including his wife, 4 kids, 3 dogs and 2 cats.  Music has been a constant companion in Steve's life, he continues to play piano, guitar and a few other instruments he has picked up along the way.

Bill is a Regional Vice President of Operations for Five Star Parks and Attractions serving the guests, teams and locations in both the Branson Missouri and Pigeon Forge markets. Working in the family entertainment industry for the last 14 years, he loves that fact that at the core of everything we do is helping friends and family spend time together having fun. A firm believer in servant leadership, Bill enjoys supporting the team he works with, challenging them to improve everyday, and assisting them to grow and develop in both life and within the organization. Bill loves spending time with his family, is very active in his local community, and is an avid Ohio State Football fan.

Go Bucks!

Alec Hicks is a dedicated Environmental Health & Safety professional with a passion for improving safety culture and safety programs via data driven safety systems and employee engagement. Alec has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Occupational Safety with a minor in Fire Safety Engineering. Alec has been in safety for 7 years with companies such as Amazon & AppHarvest. Starting with Five Star in October of 2023, Alec has focused on becoming an expert in safety in the amusement industry while building a Five Star foundation for safety across the network.

Bill Hamby first got his Electronic repair experience serving in the Marine Corps working on Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures for the F18 Fighter Jet.  Bill also served in the first gulf war (Operation Desert Storm).

Bill has over 30 years experience in working in all aspects of FEC operations...the passion of course is game purchase, placement, repair and data!

Bill started working in the Arcade business working an Arcade route for 7 years, then worked for Chuck E Cheese for 2 years, then spent 21 years with Celebration Station. Now 2 years and counting working for Five Star Parks and Attractions as Director of Arcades and Amusements.

Jeremy is a proven analyst and finance professional, experienced in helping small and medium-sized businesses grow and scale. He joined Five Star in December 2022.

Jeremy received a BA in Finance and Economics from Mercyhurst University, and was a captain of the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Born and raised in Toronto, ON, he now resides in San Diego, CA with his girlfriend and golden retriever, Bruce. He remains an avid sports fan and has become passionate about surfing.

Mark Thomas is a seasoned professional with 29 years of experience in the amusement industry. Currently serving as the overseer of technical staff at Five Star Parks and Attractions, Mark leads the maintenance efforts for games, attractions, and facilities across 27 locations encompassing seven renowned brands.

Mark's journey in the industry began with renowned establishments such as Greatimes Family Fun Park, Incredible Pizza Company, Chuck E Cheese, Dave and Busters, Main Event, and Jillian's Entertainment. He has also contributed his expertise to support companies like Happ Controls and Shaffer Distributing, gaining invaluable insights from various roles spanning from hourly positions to corporate levels.

Driven by a passion for family, work, and perpetual learning, Mark finds steadiness in supporting his loving wife, Tracey, and their six children. Their shared enthusiasm for the amusement industry not only strengthens familial bonds but also serves as a constant source of feedback and inspiration for Mark’s professional endeavors.

An advocate for efficiency, Mark's approach to problem-solving revolves around understanding the intricacies of technology and processes. Through meticulous planning, organization, and execution, he strives to optimize technical services, ensuring maximum effectiveness for his team and himself. For Mark, being the most effective person in the room entails being the most efficient—a philosophy he embodies in his daily pursuits.

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Victoria is a dynamic and results-oriented professional with a proven track record in communication strategies and social media management. Currently serving as the Social Media and Communication Director at Five Star Parks and Attractions, Victoria has contributed to the organizations online presence and brand image.

Victoria’s previously held roles in the public relations and media sector gained her valuable experience in content creation, media relations, crisis communication, and strategic planning; consistently delivering measurable results and enhancing the overall communication efforts of organizations worked with. Victoria’s unwavering passion for storytelling and creating experiences is what motivates her each day.

Outside of work, Victoria enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family.

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