Who We Are

Introducing John Dunlap, the forward-thinking leader guiding Five Star Parks & Attractions. Since stepping into the role of the company's inaugural CEO in January 2022, John has overseen its impressive expansion from 3 to 27 locations across 13 states, solidifying its standing as one of the most innovative and fastest growing family entertainment companies in the US.

John's career reflects his steadfast dedication to the amusement and hospitality sectors. Prior to joining Five Star Parks, he held notable positions including President of SeaWorld & Sesame Place in California, founder and CEO of Iconic Attractions Group, and Executive Director of the renowned San Diego Zoo.

Educated at the University of Virginia, where he earned his Bachelor's degree with distinction, and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he attained his MBA, John further honed his expertise with certifications in executive leadership, financial management, and food service management from Cornell University.

John currently resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Jenny and their children John, Evelyn, and William, where they enjoy spending quality time together and engaging in community activities. Known for his down-to-earth nature, John values the simple joys of family life and cherishes the connections he makes within his local community.

Eric Hayes, CFO, is a proven financial executive with more than 20 years of experience in finance and private equity. He joined Five Star in April 2022. Previously, he served as CFO of two healthcare services companies. Mr. Hayes has also spent time at several financial sponsors, including Backline Partners, KRG Capital Partners and Norwest Mezzanine Partners. He received a BA from St. John’s University.

As the Chief Operating Officer at Five Star Parks and Attractions, Wes Marks leads operations for 27 family entertainment centers in 13 states. He is an Oz Principles certified leader who inspires people of all ages to escape and play through immersive and interactive experiences. With over 25 years of experience in the amusement, restaurant, and entertainment industry, Wes has a proven track record of growing top-line sales, creating world-class guest satisfaction, and developing operational excellence.

Before joining Five Star in June 2022, Wes was the COO at the Department of Wonder, a mixed-reality immersive venue that dissolves the boundaries between physical and digital entertainment. He was instrumental in launching and scaling this innovative concept. Wes also served for over a decade in various leadership roles as the Senior Regional Director of Operations and Head of Field Operations at Main Event Entertainment, where he oversaw more than 45 locations and supported multiple new center openings during Main Event’s national expansion.  Wes is a humble servant leader who stands up for his team, supports them through complex challenges, and expresses his appreciation for their hard work. He is passionate about delivering boundless storytelling experiences and fun for every guest.

Troy has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in the worlds of sales and marketing.

He has led and help build the sales and marketing organizations for such notable entertainment, hospitality and resort brands as Dave & Buster’s, Main Event, American Golf and Fogo de Chao.

Troy has extensive knowledge of the sales and revenue generation process, but he’s also a dedicated student of behavioral analytics, technology trends and marketing tools that shape the sales process in today’s world.  He combines his passions for teaching and coaching with helping people across departments to work together to build a winning corporate and culture.  

His leadership style is anchored in the belief that, “You cannot motivate anyone. You can only inspire a motivated person.”

Troy grew up in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from Emporia State University with a degree in education.  Today he lives in Frisco, Texas, where he spends time with his wife, five children, and four grandchildren; coaches youth athletics; focuses on his on passion for sports and fitness; and tackles DIY projects around his home.

Craig Wescott moved to Branson, MO in 1980, when his father Lee Wescott founded The Track Family Fun Parks, the legacy company for the growing Five Star Parks & Attractions brand. Craig graduated with Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Baylor University. After a two-year stint in public accounting in Texas, Craig returned to Branson in 2000 to continue the legacy his father started. Growing up, Craig had a front row seat to how his father and business partners treated and engaged with staff members, guests, and the community, all while balancing working hard and having fun doing it. Craig and his partners continually strived to do the same for the next 20 years. Since 2021, that legacy has continued with Five Star Parks & Attractions.

Craig has enjoyed serving the community in many ways through the years, including with the chamber/CVB, school district, city, and non-profit organizations. Beyond connecting with people, Craig’s true passion is music. He enjoys playing music at church, and his band Mile Zero has played around the Branson area and beyond since 2006. Craig and wife Amy have two daughters.

As the VP of Entertainment, Jeff oversees Five Star Parks attraction mix, games, redemption and all things that make Five Star Parks fun!   From design layouts of new builds to current location refreshes, Jeff is able to use his 25 years of Family Entertainment industry experience in developing the best guest experience.  Starting with Craig's Cruisers out of Michigan, Jeff has designed, built and operated FECs.   Always keeping an eye out for "what's next" for Five Star Park locations, Jeff stays in front of industry trends while perfecting operations with a concentration on guest experience and throughput.  

Family comes first.  Married to Tammie for 30 years.  Has one daughter and a niece (unofficially daughter #2) and now 2 son-in-laws!  A huge Michigan State Spartan and Buffalo Bills fan.  Claim to fame, Jeff is the bass player for the #2 rated Cover Band in Michigan, The Rocket Fuel Haulers!

Anne Hyde, a licensed CPA, serves as the Vice President of Accounting at Five Star Parks & Attractions, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience in financial and accounting leadership roles across numerous industries. Anne has extensive experience in integrating financial systems, establishing robust internal controls, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and demonstrating strong financial acumen to ensure organizational efficiency and compliance. She has led companies through mergers, acquisitions, and company-wide ERP implementation, adeptly managing significant change with a team approach. Beyond her professional endeavors, Anne finds joy in hiking across the picturesque landscapes of her home state, Colorado.

As the Vice President of Technology at Five Star Parks, Thomas is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. With a robust background in IT management and a passion for innovation, Thomas has been instrumental in developing interactive, tech-driven attractions and optimizing operational efficiencies. Under Thomas's leadership, the center has seen significant advancements in digital ticketing systems, virtual reality experiences, and mobile app functionalities, making visits more engaging and convenient for guests. Thomas's focus on cybersecurity ensures that customer data is protected, while also leveraging technology to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors. Committed to pushing the boundaries of technology in entertainment, Thomas continues to spearhead initiatives that set Five Star Parks apart as a leader in family entertainment

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Boasting a remarkable 30-year career in the entertainment industry, Ted has held diverse leadership roles including general manager, director of training, owner/operator, and currently serves as vice president of operations.  

In these roles, he has played a pivotal role in overseeing facility construction, systems development, comprehensive training programs, and new location openings. Ted has continuously demonstrated strong leadership through strategic planning, employee development, and ensuring top-of-the-line operations. His contributions have been integral to the foundation and success of multiple brands.

With a passion for engaging teams, Ted is committed to delivering world-class facilities and ensuring unforgettable guest experiences. He currently spearheads the success of Celebration Station, Fun Land, and Craigs Cruisers brands.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Ted now resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where he enjoys quality time with his family, and finds joy in restoring classic cars and undertaking DIY projects.

Steve serves as the Regional Vice President for Five Star Parks and Attractions, he leads the Scene 75 and Malibu Jack's Brands.  Steve has spent the last 10 years in the family entertainment space with increasing levels of leadership.  Prior to family entertainment Steve was a multi-unit leader in casual dining.  His passion for hospitality has been a consistent in his career.  Steve prides himself on teaching and coaching leaders and driving long-term results.

When not working Steve enjoys time with his family including his wife, 4 kids, 3 dogs and 2 cats.  Music has been a constant companion in Steve's life, he continues to play piano, guitar and a few other instruments he has picked up along the way.

Bill is a Regional Vice President of Operations for Five Star Parks and Attractions serving the guests, teams and locations in both the Branson Missouri and Pigeon Forge markets. Working in the family entertainment industry for the last 14 years, he loves that fact that at the core of everything we do is helping friends and family spend time together having fun. A firm believer in servant leadership, Bill enjoys supporting the team he works with, challenging them to improve everyday, and assisting them to grow and develop in both life and within the organization. Bill loves spending time with his family, is very active in his local community, and is an avid Ohio State Football fan.

Go Bucks!