Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2023: KEVIN W. LEMBKE

PRESIDENT, BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG AND WATER COUNTRY USA, WILLIAMSBURG

Published August 30, 2023 by Virginia Business

Lembke has spent his entire career in the amusement park industry, starting at SeaWorld Orlando in 2000, and he’s been president of Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA since 2018 (except for a brief break in 2019).

In preparation for the park’s 2023 season, he oversaw the opening of two new rides: DarKoaster, an all-indoor straddle coaster that brings the total number of roller coasters at Busch Gardens to nine, and Riptide Race, Virginia’s first dueling pipeline water slide, which opened in Water Country in May.

Just before the busy summer season started, the 4,000-employee parks also transitioned to all cashless operations.

In May, Busch Gardens’ parent company, SeaWorld Entertainment, opened its first park in over 30 years and the first one located outside the United States: SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

Lembke earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo and interned with the marketing sales department of the Buffalo Bills NFL team before joining SeaWorld. He serves on the board of the Williamsburg Tourism Council.

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