Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Dan Dipiazzo joined Busch Entertainment Corporation in 2002 as the vice president of consumer marketing. He was the vice president of marketing strategy and planning when he left St. Louis in February 2007 and moved to Williamsburg to work at Busch Gardens, Water Country USA and Kingsmill Resort & Spa. He's the vice president of marketing, and oversees all aspects of consumer marketing, promotions, sales, brand management and communications. "Working at the corporate level was like working for the legislative branch," said Dipiazzo. "This is like moving to the executive branch where it's more hands-on and near the action."

Mark Pauls became the vice president of park operations at Busch Gardens in 2008, but his history with the company dates back much further when Pauls was a high school student. "This is my first and only job," said Pauls. "I've never had an interest to go outside the Worlds of Discovery family of parks." Pauls began his career at Busch Gardens in 1979 as a seasonal team member, cleaning the sidewalks and removing trash. He's held a variety of positions since then, including director of operations and environmental health and safety. He became the vice president of Water Country USA in August 2005. With his leadership, the mid-Atlantic's largest water park enjoyed successful seasons and record attendance.

John Reilly was recently promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager of Busch Gardens and Water Country USA. Before coming to Williamsburg, Reilly, 39, was Vice President of Merchandising for Busch Entertainment Corporation. He led the company's corporate merchandising group since April 2006. In addition to working in the corporate office in St. Louis, MO, Reilly also has leadership experience working in three of the ten Worlds of Discovery parks, including Busch Gardens Africa and SeaWorld San Diego. The move to Virginia is a homecoming for Reilly, who grew up in Newport News and worked in the Culinary Operations department for Busch Gardens in Williamsburg from 1985 2001. For the last four years, Reilly was Director of Culinary Operations. Reilly, a Spanish and history graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, joined BEC 23 years ago as a culinary operations cart worker at Busch Gardens. He has fond memories of selling popcorn and soft drinks at the park's Loch Ness Monster roller coaster.

Virginia Busch serves as Conservation Ambassador for the Anheuser-Busch Companies and the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove. In this role, she carries on the Busch family?s heritage of environmental stewardship. Virginia serves as president of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, launched in May 2003 as a private foundation fund. The organization?s mission is to work with purpose and passion on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging sustainable solutions through support of species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education. In her role, Virginia assists in the planning and execution of the parks? expanding conservation programs, including development and oversight of partnerships to support collaborative research projects. She also serves as media spokesperson for environmental efforts at the parks. In addition to her conservation roles with the Fund and Anheuser-Busch, Virginia contributes to conservation and animal welfare at home and abroad as a National Council Member for World Wildlife Fund, a board member for both Fauna & Flora International and the Humane Society of Missouri, and serves on several committees for the Saint Louis Zoo. Most recently, Virginia was named a committee member for the National Geographic Society Council of Advisors, a group of industry leaders and influential community members charged with forging connections and building relationships that will result in increased philanthropic support for and awareness of the activities of the National Geographic Society. Virginia?s passion for animals shows in her regular appearances in cities nationwide. Her television segments and speaking engagements focus on the importance of conservation education through animal interaction, animal training as a husbandry and enrichment tool, and animal research, conservation, rescue and rehabilitation efforts at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. Prior to her current role, Virginia worked with zookeepers at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where she specialized in animal husbandry and positive reinforcement training techniques. She also worked at the St. Louis Zoo, and conducted a successful enrichment study with the zoo?s American river otters. Virginia earned a bachelor?s degree in anthropology with an emphasis in animal behavior from Washington University in St. Louis.