Gerald Jenkins
General Manager
Silver Dollar City's White Water
Branson, Missouri- U.S.A.
Featured in
World Waterpark Magazine, June 2021
WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE?
I have more than 40 years with Herschend Family Entertainment serving in various roles which have included food service, maintenance, safety and attractions.
WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE?
I am an AFO, CPO, Master Electrician, along with several other mechanical certifications.
WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED?
I am proud of the recognition we have received as a park over the last several years, especially the ones that were driven by our guests. We were named one of the top waterparks in the U.S. a couple of years—that made us all proud.
WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD?
My entire career has been a transition to the next challenge. Everything I had done up to the time of me moving to White Water prepared me for the move.
WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST?
The people. I love when we are open and I get to be with our great staff and interacting with our guests. Everyday has the potential to be something special.
WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
I can think of really three different people: Ernest Joseph, who was a chef and a WWII veteran when I was young and in the Foods division; Bill DeAtley, who was the Director of Maintenance and later who worked with me while I was in Safety; and one of our company’s founders, Jack Herschend. All of these men taught me the importance of taking care of your people, and creating a level of excellence for yourself and your team.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER?
I’d have to say dealing with retaining staff for such a short operational season.
HOW DO YOU KEEP FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED?
I look at everyday as an opportunity to grow and find ways to challenge myself and my staff. I enjoy taking on projects where the risk of failure is high and figuring out how we as a team can come up with solutions to make it a success.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN WORKING IN THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY?
Develop a good work ethic and be flexible. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities. If you are a rigid person, this probably isn’t the right career path for you.
WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION?
The Bible,
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t and The One Minute Manager.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
First, the people, my staff and our guests. Second, I enjoy walking the park in the morning, enjoying the landscaping and the pools.
WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN?
I would be a college football coach. I love to teach and motivate, and I am very competitive.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA?
I talked to WWA President Rick Root at a Golden Ticket Awards event that we hosted a few years ago at the Showboat Branson Belle. I knew Rick when he was the GM at White Water and he asked me to consider getting involved. I now serve on WWA’s Government Relations Committee.
WHAT IS SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT FEW KNOW OR WOULD GUESS?
Not anything I can think of. I am a pretty open book around the people who are around me.