BY GABRIELLE

WhiteWater has announced the appointment of Franceen Gonzales, executive vice president, Americas, as chairperson of ASTM’s F24 committee – Amusement Rides and Devices.

Gonzales is the first woman to hold this position, symbolic of her ongoing commitment during the last 35 years to making parks safer for everyone.

Throughout her career, Franceen Gonzales has been dedicated to developing operating protocols, building leadership teams, consulting on the design of new waterparks and resorts, and working on aquatic risk management.

ASTM’s F24 committee’s new chairperson also holds leadership roles in a number of amusement industry groups, including International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) World Waterpark Association (WWA), Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC), Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and AIMS International.

Talking about the importance of safety, Franceen Gonzales commented: “Safety in our industry is personal for me. Having been an operator of parks for 30 years and as a design/manufacturer with WhiteWater, I see every day why safety is so important. It’s fundamental to making sure park guests are enjoying places they will come back to and is a core driver of business success.”

“Today, we are seeing more recognition of the talents of women. I’m inspired by others in this business, especially by those who lead and those in technical roles. It’s exciting to know that this is an industry in which women can succeed,” Franceen Gonzales continued.

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