Rick Spicuzza
General Manager
Kennywood Park & Sandcastle Water Park
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - U.S.A.
Featured in World Waterpark Magazine, April 2026
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I began my career at Kennywood Park in 2002 working in the food and beverage department. From high school through college, I spent my summers at Kennywood. Upon graduation, I took my first full time role with Idlewild & SoakZone. I spent 11 years there and became the Assistant General Manager in 2016. After six years as assistant general manager, I was appointed the Assistant General Manager at Sandcastle Water Park in Pittsburgh in 2022. During this time, I led the park through a multi-million-dollar park-wide transformation project and helped to oversee Kennywood’s multi-year park-wide transformation project. In July of 2024, I was named the General Manager of Kennywood Park, returning to the place where my career began.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
Jeff Ellis & Associates – Instructor Trainer License & Associate with the firm.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I was always fascinated with amusement parks and waterparks growing up. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the coasters or thrill rides, I was always amazed by the operational side of the business and wanted to understand what really makes a successful park. Once I began working at Kennywood in high school, I quickly realized I could turn my passion into a full-time career.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
What really stands out to me is the tight-knit nature of the waterpark industry. There’s a genuine sense of camaraderie, with operators supporting one another and pushing one another to be better every season. Everyone is working toward the same goal — creating high-energy experiences while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
While I’ve been fortunate to learn from many great people, Frank Perez has had a particularly meaningful impact on my career. As one of my instructor trainers at Ellis International Aquatic Safety School, he played a key role in helping me find my footing in the industry. He showed me that success doesn’t come from fitting a mold, but from bringing your authentic self to the job — including using humor to connect and teach. His mentorship helped shape who I am as a leader today, and he remains one of the very best in our field.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
Challenge is what keeps us at the top of our game, and it’s a big part of what makes this industry so rewarding. What makes it especially challenging is how rapidly things continue to evolve — from guest expectations to technology and operational practices — but that’s a good problem to have. Staying engaged with both employees and guests, understanding what they value, and finding meaningful ways to show them that we’re listening and adapting is an ongoing, dynamic process.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
I stay motivated by people and purpose. Watching our employees grow each season and step into leadership roles as they build confidence is incredibly rewarding. I am also thrilled by the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of this industry - there’s always something new to be inspired by. Seeing our employees and hosts develop into leaders — and being part of so many success stories — is easily the most fulfilling part of what I do.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Treat every interaction like an interview for your dream job and bring that energy with you to work each and every day. The energy you bring is the energy your team will reflect.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
I love staying connected with the industry through magazines and publications, and I really enjoy hearing insights and stories from colleagues. I also found Energy Leadership: The 7-Level Framework for Mastery in Life and Business by Bruce D. Schneider to be particularly impactful.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
There are so many things — and that’s exactly what has kept me in this industry all these years. At the heart of it, though, it always comes back to the people: the colleagues you work with, the daily interactions, and the fact that no two days are ever the same. It’s hard to have a bad day when I can take a stroll through the park and see guests genuinely having fun.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I’ve always been drawn to work that’s fast-paced and ever-changing. Whatever path I might take if I were starting all over again, it would need that same energy and variety — something that keeps me on my toes and growing every day.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
I jumped into the waterpark side of the business back in 2010, and I was instantly excited. I still remember how excited I was when my boss signed me up for my first WWA membership — it was my first real connection to the broader industry, and I loved being part of it.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
I grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Kennywood as a kid. When I got my first job there in 2002, I had no idea that I would end up as the General Manager just 22 years later. •