NRCMA Board Members

Adam Sandy

Adam Sandy has been a part of amusement industry since 2004. Adam is a student of the industry’s history and a ride enthusiast.

Carole Sanderson, Secretary

Sanderson, Secretary of the NRCMA board, is also Chief Financial Officer and partner of Onyx Creative Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio. Sanderson is a confirmed thrill seeker and theme park expert having served earlier as president of American Coaster Enthusiasts from 2002 to 2006.

Jerry Willard, Treasurer

Willard is president of American Coaster Enthusiasts and a 20-year veteran of the organization having served in various capacities. After 20 years in public transportation and rail management, Willard transitioned to the world of higher education, administering system-wide budgets and tuition revenues for the California State University system’s 23 campuses. Residing in Long Beach, California, Willard brings enthusiasm and a passion for preserving the history of roller coasters.

Chris Gray

Gray is a U.S. Navy veteran who has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years. In 1998, Gray founded CMG Models, a photo-realistic attraction model fabrication company for the amusement and architecture industry. He also served as the Procurement and Assembly Director for Great Coasters International. As co-founder of Skyline Attractions, he now develops experiential rides and games for the amusement industry.

Gary Slade, Past Chair

Slade, is the founder and Publisher of Amusement Today, the leading trade publication for the amusement industry, located in Arlington, Texas. Slade has documented the amusement industry for more than 30 years with an archive spanning more than 30,000 images. Slade also does editorial and marketing for AIMS International, a non-profit association whose goal is to promote safety in the amusement industry.

Jeff Novotny, Chairman

Novotny, Chairman of the NRCMA board, is the owner of Larson International in Plainview, Texas, the manufacturer of the classic Flying Scooter, Super Shot and Fire Ball rides. He is the former president of AIMS International.

Robert Ulrich, American Coaster Enthusiasts

Robert Ulrich retired from a diverse career in advertising, marketing communications, human resources and technology consulting. Ulrich became President of the American Coaster Enthusiasts in 2018 after acting in both regional and national management roles.

Pete Owens, Marketing

Owens is the Voce-President of Marketing and Communications for the Dollywood Companies based in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Owens background is in television news in which he worked for nearly 15 years. He is also a guest lecturer on crisis communications and media relations for the AIMS, TIA and NAARSO. As a 21 year veteran of the Amusement industry, participating and chairing multiple IAAPA committees, Owens is driven by his enthusiasm regarding the history of the industry and its impact on the American family drives his participation in the NRCMA.

Richard Munch, Historian

Munch is a distinguished theme park and roller coaster historian and published author. His book, Roller Coaster Fever, and his profile of ride designer Harry Traver are considered notable references on the subject. Munch is also a founder of the American Coaster Enthusiasts and served as its first president from 1978 to 1982. His career has taken him to Cleveland, Ohio, where he works for Onyx Creative on various commercial projects.

Tom Sheehan, General Counsel

Sheehan is an attorney and life-long advocate for theme parks and amusement manufacturers. Tom brings more than a quarter century of experience as a litigator defending the amusements and motor sports industries as a founding member of the Sheehan Firm. He served as Executive Director and General Council for the Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International trade organization (AIMS). He is a founding member of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association. He sits on the International Amusement Parks and Attractions Safety Committee (IAAPA), and routinely serves as an instructor for IAAPA, the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO).

Walt Bowser

Bowser is the Vice President of the Industry Division for Bynam Painting. His long history in the industry, including 21 years of experience in the Six Flags organization, and his passion for the preservation of theme and amusement park artifacts makes him an invaluable asset to the NRCMA.