Karen Oertley named Executive Director of AIMS International

By | September 2, 2014

AIMSbannerSANTA ANA, Calif. — The board of Directors of AIMS International (Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Oertley to Executive Director. Oertley brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to AIMS International and will assume overall responsibility for day-to-day management and operation of the association. Based in Nashville, TN, she will report to the board of directors.

“Karen brings wealth of industry knowledge and relationships along with a strong business background to AIMS. On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are thrilled to have her at the helm,” said Roger Berry, President of AIMS International Board of Directors.

Oertley’s earlier career with Amusement Business spans more than 25 years. As Publisher and Editor in Chief of the international live entertainment newsweekly, she held complete responsibility for the division and maintained a highly visible industry presence. She is the former chair of the Amusement Business/Liseberg Applause Award Board of Governors and was a member of AIMS International’s board of directors for eight years. She served on several IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions) committees including the Manufacturers & Suppliers (M&S) Committee, Small Parks Committee and Exhibit Awards Committee. She has written columns and articles on trends in the industry and has spoken at industry gatherings.

Oertley photoIn accepting this position, Oertley commented, “I am more than honored and very excited about this opportunity. I have the utmost respect for AIMS International and its mission to improve safety, which is essential to the entire industry. I see tremendous potential for the future of the organization and I look forward to working with our board to accomplish great things!”

Most recently, Oertley was Director of Marketing for Hopkins Rides and held marketing and communications responsibilities for WhiteWater. Prior to joining WhiteWater, Oertley was the Executive Director of Leadership Music, an educational non-profit organization based in Nashville. Earlier, she was Publisher of Hospitality Design magazine, based in New York City.

About AIMS International

AIMS International is a non-profit 501(c)(6) association dedicated to improving amusement Industry safety through its leadership in education. AIMS International provides training classes and certification (CEU) programs for operations, aquatics and maintenance personnel through its annual Safety Seminar and at other venues throughout the year. AIMS also serves to inform its members on legislative and other issues relating to industry.

The 2015 AIMS International Safety Seminar will be held in Orlando, FL January 11-16, 2015 with more than three hundred expected to attend. For more information about AIMS International and the AIMS Safety Seminar, please visit www.aimsintl.org