The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has promoted Omid Aminifard to general manager and vice president, a new position at the 114-year-old family-owned beachfront amusement park.
Omid Aminifard
Aminifard, 51, previously vice president of operations, will lead operations, maintenance/development, security/safety, food and beverage, information technology/entertainment, marketing/sales, and multiple concessionaire operators.
Aptos resident Marq Lipton, who spent 40 years promoting the Boardwalk, is stepping down as vice president of marketing and sales at the Santa Cruz Seaside Co. and becoming executive adviser.
Aminifard has a 36-year career in attractions. He joined the Santa Cruz amusement park, which ranks 10th in the city for full-time year-round employees, in 2000.
“Omid has been a valuable contributor during his time at the Boardwalk and has become a respected leader in our company and also within the amusement park industry,” said Santa Cruz Seaside Co. President Karl Rice. “With Omid’s experience, insight, expertise, and management abilities, the Boardwalk is well-positioned for expanded success into the future.”
He started as director of arcades and attractions, and was promoted after six years to director of Boardwalk operations, then to vice president of Boardwalk operations in 2015.
Under his direction, the park has grown to 39 rides, multiple attractions, and family entertainment centers, and year-round operation, with the Boardwalk achieving award-winning status.
“I enjoy the varied and unique challenges of an open-gate amusement park,” Aminifard said. “We have developed an outstanding team of dedicated and caring professionals who understand the importance of delivering world-class guest and employee experience.”
For him, working at the Boardwalk has been a family affair.
He met his wife, Tricia, now a yoga instructor in Aptos, when she was working at the park. His sons Aiden and Gavin work at the park. His youngest, Oliver, is looking forward to being old enough to work at the Boardwalk.
As a high school student, Aminifard was a park host at Sea World in San Diego.
His professional career began in Las Vegas as a member of the opening team for three resorts, eventually becoming director of operations at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino.
Currently Aminifard chairs the Amusement Parks and Attractions Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and member emeritus of the Santa Cruz chapter of Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
He has been a Big Brother, board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Santa Cruz, president of the Mar Vista Elementary Parents Club, and youth football coach.
In addition to the 1907 Boardwalk, the Santa Cruz Seaside Co. operates the Boardwalk Bowl, Sea and Sand Inn, and Carousel Beach Inn. Attractions at the seaside amusement park include the historic 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, the 1911 Looff Carousel, family-friendly rides and midway games, indoor arcades, and mini golf.