John Arie Jr. is the Owner / Chief Executive Officer and the face of Fun Spot America Theme Parks. Raised in the family business, John has worked in every area of park operations, giving him a hands-on understanding of the company from the ground up. Known for blending innovation with tradition, John leads with a clear vision: to keep Fun Spot competitive in a rapidly evolving amusement industry while preserving its faith-based, family-first foundation. His leadership philosophy is rooted in the Golden Rule — treating others the way he would want to be treated — a principle that influences company culture, team development, and guest experience. Under his leadership, Fun Spot America has continued to grow strategically while strengthening its reputation as a values-driven organization. Fun Spot’s commitment to community impact was recognized when it received the Harris Rosen Philanthropic Award from the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce. John has been honored by the Orlando Business Journal as a “Top 40 Under 40” recipient and named one of the “Top 10 Men to Watch.” Above all, John considers his greatest achievement to be his family — his wife Tracy and their children, TJ and Alexis.

John Arie first started in the industry in 1969 and quickly realized he had a passion for the business and wanted to own and operate his own attraction. In 1975 John opened his first operation in Ocean City Maryland which featured two tracks in the heart of the tourist district. This was the start of a long and successful career as John used his creative spirit and drive to push the limits of the traditional track and park designs that were common at the time. John owned and operated several action parks through the years until he felt the challenge to really go HUGE and develop multi-level tracks. John’s designs were US Patented and they became a reality in June of 1998 when Fun Spot Action Park officially opened in Orlando Florida.  After several years of success, John opened the second location in Kissimmee Florida which featured just one SkyCoaster attraction but over the years he developed it to a 10-acre multiple ride and go-kart track theme park. In 2013 John expanded the Orlando property from 5 acres to 15 acres and added Orlando’s only wooden roller coaster along with other thrill/ family rides and a new brand name emerged FUN SPOT AMERICA THEME PARKS. With 12 acres to still expand on, John is committed to making it HUGE-ER!!!

Tracy Arie is a key leader at Fun Spot America and a foundational part of the company’s story. With more than 25 years in the amusement industry, Tracy has worked in nearly every area of park operations, giving her a well-rounded perspective that helps strengthen both team culture and daily performance. Known for her dedication, versatility, and people-first approach, she plays an important role in supporting Fun Spot’s growth while helping preserve its family-centered values.   Guided by her faith and a commitment to caring for others, Tracy leads with compassion, encouragement, and a heart for service that positively impacts both employees and guests.   A certified personal trainer and sports nutrition specialist, Tracy has spent years encouraging team members to live healthier lifestyles and reach their full potential. She and her husband John have been married since 1998 and are proud parents of two children, TJ and Alexis.

Andre brings a lot of enthusiasm to Fun Spot Attractions. He started in the industry at John Arie’s Fun ‘N Wheels Amusement Park in 1988; when John Arie opened Fun Spot Action Park in 1997, Andre came on board shortly thereafter. In 2006, Andre moved into the Track Department’s Sr. Lead position and again in 2008, Andre excelled into the role of Manager on Duty for Orlando’s Fun Spot Action Park. In 2013, as our park expanded from five-acres to 15-acres Andre accepted yet another challenge to become Fun Spot America’s, Director of Operations. As of 2019 he is now the Regional General Manager of Fun Spot America Theme Parks.

Bio to follow.

Patrick “PJ” Payne began his journey with Fun Spot in 1998, starting in park operations and quickly developing a strong foundation in attractions management. Through dedication and hands-on leadership, PJ worked his way up to Department Manager for our Go-Kart Tracks, before departing the company in 2005. In February 2013, PJ returned to Fun Spot America as a Ride Lead and rapidly advanced into a management role by June of that same year. Over the years, PJ has supported operations at both Florida park locations, earning a reputation for his operational expertise, leadership, and commitment to the guest experience. Today, PJ serves as the Director of Operations for the Kissimmee park, overseeing daily park operations and helping drive the continued success and growth of the park.

Eric started his journey with Fun Spot back in 2012. After one year working with Benner’s Amusements at the Kissimmee location, he came on board with Fun Spot as a Food and Beverage Lead. His energy and passion for the department earned him the role of Food and Beverage Department Manager in 2015. After winning the Employee of the Year award in 2016, Eric looked to play a bigger role for the company by accepting the position of Manager on Duty in Kissimmee in 2017. As Fun Spot’s newest location in Georgia continued to grow and new opportunities arose, Eric packed his bags and moved to Georgia in 2018 to become Director of Operations for Fun Spot Atlanta.

Michael Benner is our Chief Financial Officer for Fun Spot America – Orlando, and Kissimmee Florida.  He started his career in 1991 with the purchase of his first concession stand.  From 1991 through 2007, he ran his own Food and Beverage business traveling to Fairs and Festivals across Pennsylvania.  After 16-years of running his own business, Mike decided it was time for a change of scenery (and weather) and moved to the Sunshine State, where he was offered a vendor location in Fun Spot Kissimmee.  In addition to operating Food and Beverage locations in the park, Mike was always looking for ways to expand and grow the Food and Beverage Department and regularly contributed to Fun Spot in any way possible.  In 2012, Mike was offered the position of Director of Food and Beverage, and was tasked with the expansion of the Food and Beverage Department of Fun Spot America, Orlando, in 2018 Mike was promoted to Chief Revenue Officer and in 2019 was elevated to our Chief Financial Officer.

As Senior Vice President of Sales, Renee is in charge of all sales operations. Renee also directs the Fun Spot Hospitality Team, who liaise with all guest services representatives, hotel concierges and front desk personnel, ticket brokers, time-share representatives, and any other authorized ticket vendor. Renee and the Hospitality Team provide brochures, marketing materials, and information about Fun Spot’s two locations to everyone working in the field of hospitality and guest services.

David Cain brings over 15 years of strategic marketing leadership to Fun Spot America, where he serves as Vice President of Marketing. Known for his ability to drive growth through integrated campaigns, David has a proven track record across the restaurant, retail, and entertainment sectors. Prior to joining Fun Spot America, he led high-impact marketing initiatives for brands like Tijuana Flats, Badcock Home Furniture, and Sonny’s BBQ, consistently delivering measurable results through data-driven strategies, creative storytelling, and cross-functional collaboration. David’s strengths span digital marketing, media planning, public relations, brand development, and community engagement. At Fun Spot America, he oversees all brand marketing efforts aimed at building awareness, enhancing guest experiences, and driving attendance across all park locations. A graduate of the University of Central Florida, David is a passionate marketer and results-oriented leader who believes in the power of memorable experiences to connect brands with communities.  Outside of work, he’s a proud husband and father of three. His favorite pastimes include backpacking and hiking, playing ping pong, and goofing off with his kids whenever possible.

Reece Youmans is a seasoned hospitality professional with a wealth of experience in themed restaurant operations, joining Fun Spot America in May 2022. His career has been primarily focused on major Orlando attractions, including extensive work at both Walt Disney and Universal Orlando properties. Reece has managed high-profile establishments such as Rainforest Café, Fulton’s Crabhouse, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. He previously owned Hometown Restaurants, operating multiple locations in Tampa/St. Petersburg. A former college athlete, Reece played football at Southern Illinois University, which instilled in him a strong sense of teamwork and leadership. Reece is passionate about global cuisine and eagerly explores new culinary experiences, embodying an adventurous “try anything once” approach to food.

Mark has been with John Arie for 30+years. Mark began in 1985 at Fun N Wheels and has worked in all aspects of the business. He supervises and oversees what we believe to be the BEST maintenance department in the family amusement park industry. The department is skilled and proficient in all the mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical requirements of the park’s operations. Mark is the face of our park’s equipment safety procedures and coordinates the bi-annual inspections with the Florida Department of Agriculture, Fair Rides Division. August of 2018 Mark was promoted to our Chief of Maintenance and oversees all three current locations.

Bio to follow.

As the Corporate Director of Human Resources, overseeing HR operations companywide, Melina brings a strong foundation in both legal and human resources disciplines. Melina began her career as a paralegal where she spent years developing expertise in legal processes and compliance. Melina holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Conflict and is a SHRM certified professional. She has built a well-rounded HR career focused on employee relations, risk management, and workplace integrity. She previously served as a Labor Relations Professional with The Walt Disney Company, where she gained experience managing complex union cast member relations in a large-scale organization. She later joined Tijuana Flats, specializing in risk, compliance, and employee relations during her tenure. In her current role, Melina is passionate about fostering environments where employees feel supported and empowered. She is committed to creating workplaces that are safe, clean, and fun for both team members and guests alike.