originally posted on 11/4/2024
Mark Rosenzweig (left) and Kris Rowberry (right).
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At its annual board meeting in Plainview, Texas, on October 22, the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA), the world’s largest collection of amusement ride vehicles and other historic artifacts, voted to add Mark Rosenzweig, principal and chief business officer of 3dxScenic, and Kris Rowberry, long-time museum volunteer, to its board of directors. Both Rosenzweig and Rowberry also happen to be ACE members.
“Bringing aboard these two gentlemen was an easy decision,” said Jeff Novotny, president of the NRCMA Board of Directors. “Both of them have shown unparalleled commitment to the ideals of our industry. Their shared passion for sharing it with others will make our organization even stronger as we work toward finishing this dream.”
Through his long career in themed entertainment that began in 1998, Rosenzweig has worked on both the operations and the supplier side of the industry with roles ranging from operations to project management to business development. He has participated in the development and installation of more than 50 major attractions around the world. After joining the 3dxScenic team in August 2020, he became co-owner of the company in the fall of 2023. During his time in the industry, he has also worked for the companies Zamperla and Ride Entertainment.
“I think joining the board at this juncture of the museum's development is about as exciting a time as there can possibly be,” Rosenzweig said. “I cannot wait to work hand-in-hand with the other smart and talented members of the board and our many partners/subcontractors to get this thing across the finish line and welcome guests to see what I believe is the most comprehensive collection of historical roller coaster artifacts in the world.”
Rosensweig has long wished to dedicate his energy to the NRCMA mission.
“Roller coasters and their vast history [are] deeply entrenched in American (and even international) history. Bringing greater awareness to the importance of the roller coaster's place in our collective culture is something I believe will be met with great interest from a broad cross-section of demographics,” Rosenzweig told ACE News.
Initially volunteering his time with the NRCMA for social media duties back in 2020, Rowberry has overseen remarkable growth with the museum’s digital presence. He also oversees the organization’s retail operation, both in the creation of merchandise and order fulfillments. His volunteer efforts have been seen at numerous events, both regionally and nationally. Rowberry previously worked in the attractions industry with Paramount Parks and Six Flags. He currently serves as the communications manager for Ride Entertainment.
“I look forward to continuing the expansion of the museum’s digital footprint and bringing it to more people who might not be able to make the trip to Plainview,” Rowberry said.
As ACE members, these roles on the NRCMA board are more than just fulfilling positions; this is an extension of their passion.
“On our once-year trips to Great America in Santa Clara for our grandmother’s company picnic, it was a Schwarzkopf shuttle loop in 1993 that truly ignited my passion for the industry,” added Rowberry. “I love the idea of historic preservation and telling a unique story. History has always been one of my favorite subjects.”
“My initial passion for attractions began as a toddler with visits with family to local kiddie parks on Long Island where I grew up, most prominently Nunley's Carousel and Amusements in Baldwin, New York,” added Rosenzweig. “While I always had a fascination with coasters, it wasn't until being tricked into riding one, like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom in 1981, when my grandparents convinced me the hour-long queue was for the "train ride," or peer pressured by friends at Hersheypark in 1988 when trepidation soon turned to elation when I rode my first large scale wooden coaster [Comet] and looping coaster [sooperdooperLooper] back-to-back in quick succession. The rest, as they say, is history.”
The NRCMA is an unaffiliated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of historic roller coaster and amusement park artifacts. Its goal is to document, archive and preserve the rich history of the attractions industry for generations to come. Visit www.rollercoastermuseum.org to learn more.
— NRCMA press release with additional input from Tim Baldwin and Lee Ann Draud, ACE News
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