Meet Our Executive Team

Rick Coleman has been involved in the hospitality and amusement industries for over 25 years and has been part of $1.5B in development. His career has encompassed all aspects of hotel, food and beverage, conference center, amusement and indoor waterpark operations. He has extensive experience ranging from development, financing, branding, launch and daily management of single and multi-unit properties, representing various nationally flagged and independent locations. 

Over the past decade, Rick  has been directly involved in numerous large-scale hotel, resort and themed attraction projects totaling over $500M in development. Rick has extensive experience in EB-5, USDA and other non-traditional funding programs. 

Rick has focused his career on providing the best guest experience possible through the efforts of recruiting, training and motivating management and staff. He has written, produced and implemented dozens of orientation, training and retention programs. 

A frequent lecturer and guest speaker, Rick works tirelessly to promote a more personalized and "old world" service. Rick has written and delivered dozens of property specific orientation programs for managers and associates that motivate individuals to reach for excellence. Rick also created and developed the "Aloha Spirit" Orientation and Training Programs as well as the "Housekeeping Games" Employee Retention Program. 

Rick holds the following certifications and memberships: 

• Certified Hotel Administrator from the American Hotel & Lodging Association
• Member of International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction
• Certified Ride Inspector for the State of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Frank Pracukowski has been in the Native American casino gaming industry for over 25 years. He opened Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992 and was a key member of the executive team through the casino's numerous expansions. He has 17 years of experience in information technology and casino operations, being responsible for their proprietary casino management system (CMS) and led the effort to integrate all the computer systems into the CMS. He also worked closely to procure software for the gaming commission, marketing, cage, busing, credit, junkets and bingo. 

He spent the last 8 years at Foxwoods in Business Development, where he consulted and managed agreements with Native American Tribes. Mr. Pracukowski ran Foxwoods Interactive, the division of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation to explore, develop and implement a real money igaming and social gaming solution. He was one of the first to launch a social gaming app, which proved to the casino industry that a B2B social gaming platform solution could be successful. 

Frank also managed all of the on-and-off reservation developments for Foxwoods Development Company, as well as identified potential casino, resort and water park projects for investment and management opportunities. One of his many accomplishments was bringing in Tanger Outlet Stores at Foxwoods. He is a graduate of Gibbs College with a degree in casino operations. 

Bob Sharpe brings over 25 years of diverse leadership experience across theme parks and waterparks. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Operations at American Resort Management.

Prior to joining American Resort Management, Bob held progressive leadership and executive roles with premier brands including Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Wet ‘n Wild, and most recently, Universal Orlando Resort.

At Universal Orlando, Bob was a key member of the opening team for Universal's Volcano Bay,overseeing all operational functions including Admissions, Premium Experiences (Cabanas, Virtual Line), Lifeguard Operations, and Custodial Services. More recently, he led Operational Excellence initiatives across all Universal Orlando parks, driving continuous improvement strategies that elevated both Team Member (employee) engagement and Guest experience.

Bob holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master's in Management & Leadership from Webster University. He has also contributed to industry standards as chair of the ASTM F24.70 F3158 Task Group and served a three-year term on the IAAPA Water Park Committee.

Bob is passionate about cultivating high-performing teams and delivering immersive, memorable experiences to every Guest. His leadership is rooted in operational excellence, strategic innovation, and a deep commitment to both employee development and Guest satisfaction.

Gary Yakesch brings over 30 years of experience to American Resort Management. Gary's career started in the hospitality industry as property controller for the DoubleTree/Guest Quarter Hotel brand and progressed to corporate operations with American General Hospitality/Meristar/Interstate Hotels & Resorts. While serving on the corporate side, Gary garnered increasingly responsible experience in property audit and owner required reviews, financial analytics with specific focus on the financial viability of proposed acquisitions, and SOP development and execution for stand-alone and resort golf operations held in the corporate portfolio.

Gary's career found a new trajectory in 1999 with a role in the public sector. Serving as City Controller, Gary learned the many facets of government finance and the application relative to the principal operation of government. Gary spent 15 years as Assistant Director Of Business tasked with managing a fund portfolio of over $58M across seven unique fund structures. Of particular note, Gary had primary oversight of designated public/private management operation agreements, ground and commercial lease agreements, partnership contracts, and other like agreements. Gary held primary oversight in the management of the voter approved sales tax for the development and operation of a multi-million dollar Recreation Center (The Epic) and indoor water park (Epic Waters operated by American Resort Management). Principal to this role, Gary served as Owner's Representative specific to management agreements, managed the dedicated sales tax fund related to management agreements, and prepared annual proposals for the benefit of city management and elected officials on the use and management of the dedicated sales tax subject to statutory limitations and requirements.

In addition to his public and private sector experience, Gary developed his private real estate practice concurrent with his municipal career. A licensed Texas Real Estate Salesperson for more than 22 years, Gary has extensive experience specific to residential real estate in the State Of Texas. Gary holds a Bachelor Of Science from Texas A&M University and is an avid NASCAR and dirt track race fan.

Justin Brown has over 20 years of operations and maintenance experience in the pool and water park industry. He serves as Executive Vice President of Development at American Resort Management where he develops, leads, and consults on portfolio-wide projects.

Prior to joining American Resort Management, Justin was the Assistant Director of Operations at Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park in Orlando, FL. In this role he was responsible for all operational aspects of the park's 17 attractions and virtual line system which included an annual attendance of 1.8 million guests. Justin was part of the construction, commissioning, and opening team of Volcano Bay.

Previous to his work at Universal, Justin was the Director of Aquatics at DelGrosso's Park and Laguna Splash in Tipton, PA. While there he led the largest park expansion project in the company's history which added a new guest entryway, attractions, and food and beverage concepts.

While earning his MBA at Penn State University, Justin served as the Coordinator of Aquatics at McCoy Natatorium. In this position he was responsible for all pool operations, special event coordination, and risk management procedures for the University's aquatic center.

Certifications:

• Pool and Hot Tub Alliance Certified Pool Operator Instructor
• Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
• Lifeguard Instructor Trainer

Carl Foy is the Corporate Vice President of Marketing for American Resort Management. He is responsible for leading and working with all Marketing staff and General Manager on all aspects of marketing, including advertising, media relations, public relations, and social media.

Previously, Carl has worked at Texas Renaissance Festival, Grand Texas, Traders Village and Six Flags as well as partnered with numerous organizations, non-profits, chambers of commerce, Texas Tourism Alliance (TTIA or TTA), and media groups. He also serves on the Attractions Committee for the Texas Travel Alliance. Starting at age 16 as a roller coaster operator, Mr. Foy got the attractions bug early on. Working through management roles in operations, food service, and retail, Carl eventually found his calling in marketing.

Originally from New Jersey, Carl attended New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. He moved to Houston in 2002 when he was offered a position at Six Flags Astroworld. Over the years, Carl has and maintains several certificates in Google Analytics, Social Media, Tourism & Attractions, and Marketing.

Michael Hays serves as the Regional Vice President - South for American Resort Management with over 30 years of experience in the aquatic amusement industry. He has played an instrumental role in opening and operating ARM's premier property, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, as well as providing his wealth of operational knowledge with additional facilities within the company. From design through construction and into operation, his ability to establish set guidelines and procedures has ensured successful start-up operations for a number of facilities.

Being financially responsible, while ensuring the guest experience is never affected, has always been the driving force in his decision-making and leadership. His operations continue to win service awards including acknowledgement from the World Waterpark Association. Along with these accolades, his fiscal responsibility has ensured a positive return for the facilities that Mr. Hays has operated. 

His dedicated focus to providing exceptional service and memorable experiences continues to drive sales. He has trained and operated facilities across the country working for companies such as Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resorts, Jeff Ellis and Associates as well as Marriott. Mr. Hays understands and equips his staff with the necessary training and understanding of how to provide a fun and enjoyable experience without the expense of neglecting safety.

Prior to managing Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Mr. Hays was director of operations for The Pump House at Jay Peak Resort, another retractable roof indoor waterpark. There he performed the role of managing all operations associated with the waterpark including admissions, aquatics, maintenance and food and beverage. At the time, it was the first indoor waterpark in the country with a curved retractable roof until Epic Waters opened in 2018.

John McNally brings over two decades of business development and leadership experience in live entertainment, ticketing, and hospitality to his role as Vice President of Sponsorship & Strategic Partnerships at American Resort Management. Born and raised in the Bronx, John has worked in major entertainment hubs including New York and Los Angeles, helping to connect venues, brands, and audiences through innovative partnerships and high-impact strategies.

Before joining ARM in 2025, John served as Head of Business Development for North America at TodayTix Group, where he led the company's expansion into the U.S. attractions market and secured partnerships with top-tier venues and ticketing platforms. He previously held the role of Vice President of Business Development at Goldstar Events, where he managed national sales teams and launched marketing initiatives that drove millions in revenue and ticket sales across 30+ U.S. markets.

Throughout his career, John has led high-value licensing, sponsorship, and ticketing deals across music, sports, film, attractions and family entertainment. His portfolio includes major partnerships with Six Flags, Cedar Fair, Palace Entertainment, Universal Studios, Feld Entertainment, and Major League Baseball (MLBAM), as well as licensing agreements with Columbia Pictures, Morgan Creek Entertainment, United Artists and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he created the groundbreaking "Hackers" soundtrack series, cementing it as a staple for the best in electronic dance music. John also developed and negotiated the iconic World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) entrance theme album, "WWF Full Metal: The Album," which kicked off a franchise that drove over $85 million in U.S. sales and remains a standout success story in branded sports entertainment.

John is especially passionate about designing sponsorship and brand partnership programs that enhance the guest experience while supporting bottom-line business goals. His strengths lie in relationship building, revenue growth, and identifying scalable opportunities that align with client success.

John's lifelong passion for live entertainment and hospitality continues to drive his curiosity, whether he's visiting an emerging attraction, brainstorming new sponsorship and partnership ideas, or connecting with industry partners across the country.

Marc Kapiloff 
American Resort Management 
Food & Beverage Director Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark 
 
Marc Kapiloff has been with Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark since April 2017. He was part of our pre-opening team. He oversees all food and beverage outlets, which includes concessions, bars, birthdays and catering events. Recently, we have taken over the Epic Rec Center, where Mr. Kapiloff oversees the café, bars and catering events. 
 
His many years of experience includes F&B director of Lone Star Park Thoroughbred Race Track; F&B director of Remington Park Racetrack, in Oklahoma City; vice president of F&B for Grande Catering, at Retama Park, in San Antonio; vice president of concessions for Kwik Kafe in Omaha, Nebraska, overseeing the Omaha Civic Auditorium, the Iowa State Football Stadium and the Lloyd Noble Arena, at the University of Oklahoma; general manager of F&B for Odgen Food Service at Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Louisiana Downs Racetrack and Kirkwood Meadows Ski Resort; general manager of F&B for Volume Services at San Jose Convention and Cultural Center, Kiel Auditorium, in St. Louis, Kemper Arena, in Kansas City; and Mr. Kapiloff started his career as manager trainee and assistant manager of Royals and Arrowhead Stadiums in Kansas City. 
 
In these many years of experience, in the recreational feeding field, he has managed many high-end events, such as Breeders Cups; MLB playoff games; NFL playoffs and Super Bowl; the Preakness; the Charismatic Convention, during which they served over 250,000 meals per day utilizing Royals and Arrowhead Stadiums, Kemper Arena and The American Royal. 
 
His many experiences have given him the opportunity to serve many entertainers, profession athletes and politicians, including both President Bushes and Vice President Walter Mondale. 
 
Mr. Kapiloff is a graduate of Kansas State University, with a bachelor of science in hospitality management. He has three children and four grandchildren. 

Mark Ventresca was born and raised in Fairfield County Connecticut and attended University of Bridgeport where he majored in business. Mark moved to Miami Beach where he launched his career at the world famous Turnberry Isle Resort & Club. During his 13 years tenure at Turnberry Isle , Mark worked under the Mandarin Oriental and Fairmont hotel brand management companies. Mark worked in numerous positions such as beverage manager, banquet director, group sales & catering, and as food & beverage director. Mark then went to work for the Stronach Group at Miami's famed Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino. During his 12 years at the Stronach Group, he also worked at various other properties in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Baltimore Maryland where he spearheaded all of the F&B for the Preakness Stakes from 2012 to 2019 feeding over 138,000 guests in various restaurants, suites, and private bungalows. Mark was recently at JACK casino in Cleveland Ohio for the past 3 years where he was the Executive director of Food & Beverage & events before joining ARM in April of 2023. Besides food & beverage, Mark also has vast amount of experience in sales & marketing, sponsorships, resort management, openings, memberships, catering, and group sales.

Colby Youngblood brings over 30 years of leadership and operational experience to American Resort Management. His career began in the U.S. Air Force, where he led high-performance teams in complex, mission-critical environments. Following his military service, Colby transitioned into the private sector, building a diverse portfolio of leadership roles across industries, including aerospace, hospitality, and specialty construction. His operational expertise spans strategic planning, P&L management, contract negotiations, and financial oversight, with a consistent track record of driving organizational growth and operational excellence.

Colby's career took a significant trajectory in the commercial sector through his executive leadership with Celestis, Inc., where he served as President and Board Member. In this role, he oversaw multi-million-dollar commercial spaceflight contracts with leading aerospace partners such as United Launch Alliance and Astrobotic, expanding Celestis' global market presence. Prior to joining ARM, he also held leadership positions where he managed large teams, complex budgets, and strategic partnerships, focusing on operational transformation, risk mitigation, and sustainable revenue growth.

In addition to his executive experience, Colby is an entrepreneur and consultant with a passion for developing high-performing teams and scalable operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Business and an MBA in Executive Leadership from University of Houston. Outside of work, Colby enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with his family. His leadership philosophy—"Stay Strong, Stay Positive, and Find the Win"—reflects his commitment to resilience, strategic problem-solving, and building organizations positioned for long-term success.

Dan Williams has been in Hotel & Resort operations for over 17 plus years. He has led multiple opening teams, accomplishing record pre-opening review scores and cost savings for the principals. Dan has been involved in both individual property management, as well as overseeing as many as 120 properties for major real estate REITS. Through the years, he has worked in both flagged and independent hotels & resorts.

In his previous roles he has accomplished record GOP and revenue growth through cost controls, revenue management and recruiting & developing exceptional talent. During the pandemic Dan and his previous corporate team achieved year over year growth. Opening 5 new builds and beating budgeted portfolio revenue by $28 million dollars while maintaining a GOP of 65%.

In Dan's time working as an individual property general manager, and task force general manager for multiple companies. He has always been able to achieve increased revenue, GOP and both guest and employee satisfaction. One of his properties in Galveston, TX had seen $2.5 million in budget surplus with a 60% GOP.

Overall, Dan's operational planning, cost controls and associate development. Have had a proven success for every company he has worked with.

He also has extensive knowledge in property management systems, both build outs and functionality. As well as extensive knowledge in both facilities and vendor management.

Gerald Cermak is a certified public accountant and a graduate of Edinboro University with a bachelor of science in business administration/accounting. He has more than 26 years of experience as a dedicated professional in accounting and finance at some of the most elite companies in the country where he filled various roles from accounting manager, financial analyst for consolidation and reporting as well as internal and external auditor.

Prior to joining American Resort Management, Gerald has held both the director and chairman positions with American Foundry Society Northwest PA Chapter as well as the director position for the Allegheny Recovery Corporation.

Corina Luna is a dynamic HR leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate with a lifelong passion for business and leadership. Her journey began at a young age, attending family business workshops and stepping into ownership and responsibility by the age of 16.

Born in Los Angeles, California, and raised between the U.S. and Mexico, Corina takes pride in her Hispanic heritage and bilingualism. With over 20 years of management experience across diverse industries, she has excelled in family business management, retail leadership at Walmart, business partnership in the insurance sector, and as a Registered Notary Public. Currently, she serves as an HR leader at Epic Waters, where she thrives in fostering workplace excellence.

Corina pursued her education at Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG) in Jalisco, Mexico, further strengthening her expertise in business and leadership.

Passionate about creating environments where leaders flourish, Corina specializes in strategic leadership, talent development, change management, and team collaboration. Her people-first approach fuels innovation, growth, and lasting impact in every organization she serves.

Beyond her professional life, Corina enjoys exploring new places, cooking and trying new foods, and cherishing time with her family. Deeply involved in her community, she is an active member of her local church and previously served as President of the Women's Relief Society. She currently dedicates her time to teaching and mentoring youth through enriching programs.

Corina lives by the mantra:
"Leaders are made, not born. Let's grow together!"

Tom Hart served as Grand Prairie City Manager from 1999 to retirement in 2021. Prior to that, Hart was Assistant City Manager and later City Manager in Euless for 16 years. He was one of the youngest city managers in the history of Texas when he served as City Manager in The Colony from 1978-1981. Known for his attention to world-class customer service and innovative management style, Hart created Grand Prairie's popular and successful mission to "create Raving Fans by delivering World Class Service." 

During his tenure as Grand Prairie's City Manager, he oversaw the reconstruction of the historic Uptown Theater and construction of a minor league ballpark, performance arts theatre, the Ruthe Jackson Center and Gardens, Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens, Tony Shotwell Life Center, Prairie Paws Adoption Center, the Splash Factory, Alliance Skate Park, the Public Safety Training Center, Municipal Court House, the Public Safety Building, The Summit Active Adult Center, Epic Waters Indoor Water Park, Epic Arts Fitness and Entertainment Center, and created the blueprint for Epic Central. 

Hart served on the Lone Star Park Charitable Foundation and was named Zeus Man of the Year by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce in 2008. Hart was honored in the 2009 Grand Prairie Rotary Club Golf Tournament for his significant contributions to the Grand Prairie community. Hart was instrumental in founding Grand Prairie's Rotary Club Golf Tournament in 2001, which has provided more than $1 million in dental services to Grand Prairie children. 

His professional awards also include: 

· Two Joy Samson Mentoring Awards from the Urban Management Association of North Texas. 

· Texas City Management Association Mentoring Award.

· International City/County Management Association Award for Career Development - The Cookingham Award.

· International City/County Management Association In-Service Training Award - The Clarence E. Ridley Award.

· Hurst-Euless-Bedford Rotarian of Year.

· Northeast Leadership Award - North Region.

· Past President North Texas City Management Association.