Image: Noland will take up his new role on 1 January

Paul Noland has been appointed as the new International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) president and CEO after Chip Cleary announced he was stepping down.

The appointment is to take effect from 1 January 2013, with Cleary returning to a leadership position within the theme park industry. Cleary took over as IAAPA president and CEO in April 2011.

Noland, a theme park consultant, is already a member of the IAAPA board and was an executive at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts between 1995 and 2011.

An IAAPA board member for three years, Noland also chairs the association's Audit Committee. The "leadership transition" is due to start in the third quarter of this year.

Roland Mack, 2012 IAAPA chair of the board, said Cleary had achieved much in his time as president and CEO, including a restructuring of the association's international sales team.

Cleary has also overseen an upgrade of IAAPA's technology; the introduction of a new intellectual property programme; and a revamp of the association's budget and expense management processes.

Mack added: "Chip has made a real difference in our association and we greatly appreciate all he has done. Paul's proven track record, analytical acumen, and leadership skills will allow him to build on Chip's success."

Cleary said: "I look forward to once again planning and developing attractions and entertaining guests so I am excited about returning to the theme park industry."

To read an interview with Chip Cleary explaining how IAAPA is embracing change, see Attractions Management 2011 Issue 4, p48

To read the current issue of Attractions Management, visit www.attractionsmanagement.com/magazine

Details: www.iaapa.org