WCI Corporate Brochure

WCI HOLDINGS, LLC

We

do the unexpected

By entertaining our guests with a spectacular combination of theme, food, animals and audience participation;

We achieve excellence through teamwork

By thoroughly training each team member, and demonstrating appreciation for their contributions through recognition, reward, and growth opportunity.

We constantly improve

By encouraging ideas from each other and our guests;

By managing our human and physical resources;

By re-investing our profits in people and product;

By managing safety and cleanliness in a wholesome atmosphere;

By setting the example as the community and industry leaders.

All in a manner consistent with Christian values and ethics.

HOLDINGS, LLC

3849 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Hello Everybody!

I wanted to take a few moments and tell you a little bit about some of my properties that are very near and dear to my heart…The Stampede and Pirates Voyage.

The Stampede began as a dream for me that has grown into four spectacular dinner attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Branson, Missouri. With the grand entertainment of our horses and performers along with a delicious four course meal, My Stampede Dinner Attractions have become the most fun places to eat in America and I guarantee it! Just ask any of our over 40 million guests we have served since opening our doors in 1988.

The first Pirates Voyage opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in June of 2011. I decided the Myrtle Beach market was the perfect place for the first Pirates Voyage. We spent over 11 million dollars in renovations to the existing Stampede property and opened with a bang! Pirates Voyage is most definitely The Most Breathtaking Dinner Show ever. It did so well that we opened a second Pirates Voyage in Pigeon Forge Tennessee in May 2019 selling out four shows a day the entire summer!

Stampede and Pirates Voyage were both founded on the principle of greatly exceeding expectations by entertaining our guests with a spectacular combination of theme, food, animals and audience participation.

Our ventures have been so successful we have developed a strong reputation of giving back to the communities in which we do business and beyond. In 1999, Stampede made a seven million dollar endowment gift to my Imagination Library Program, which is a non-profit organization that provides children’s books to participating community children every month until the age of five. This program started in my hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee and was able to expand from a handful of communities into over 2,000 affiliate organizations who cover over 15,970 postal codes with over 1.93 million children actively enrolled. Recently the program hit a new milestone of gifting over 1.8 million books each month! The Imagination Library as of January 2022 has distributed over 172 million books worldwide since inception.

I’ve never really been one to sit still for very long, so as our team is aggressively looking for new markets to expand our current products as well as developing new concepts, we decided to add more family entertainment shows as well as a fun southern-style brunch café in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to our existing operations! In February 2019 we purchased The Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, The Comedy Barn and Frizzle Chicken Farmhouse Café.

These new spectacular family entertainment products along with our Stampede, Pirates Voyage and future attractions, will create new opportunities for us in both domestic and international markets.

I hope you will take some time to get to know us and the great possibilities we offer.

I appreciate your interest in my Stampede, Pirates Voyage, our newest additions and our future endeavors!

Love,

hundreds of cast members, 30 doves of peace, live buffalo, and much, much more...

“Dreaming up entertainment on a grand scale is easymaking it happen successfully is what this company is all about.”

- Jim Rule, CEO

“As a group, we are deeply passionate about creating entertainment that greatly exceeds expectations.”

- Dolly Parton

“We constantly improve by encouraging ideas from each other and our guests.”

- Jack Lawrence, President

“We are the best in the world at creating a spectacular combination of theme, food, animals and audience participation.”

- Fred Hardwick, Co Founder/Co Chairman of the Board

“We continue to develop the perfection of our experience to remain the best in the world at what we do.”

- Ken McCabe, Corporate Director of Entertainment

Leadership

Fred C. Hardwick, III

Co Founder / Co Chairman of the Board

Fred graduated with honors from the Business School of the University of Georgia in 1975. While attending graduate school on the Millsby-Lane Financial Scholarship and working as a research assistant for Professor Dr. William P. Lloyd, he started Water Ski Shows, Inc. Over the next 37 years, he wrote and produced 47 shows that played over 49,000 performances and entertained over 50,000,000. These shows have played in four World Fairs, on five continents and in 15 states.

Fred’s wife of 44 years, Nancy, performed in the shows from 1973 to 1988. They have two grown children, Ryan and Crystal.

Ryan W. Hardwick

Co Chairman of the Board

Ryan joined the Board of Governors in 2010, and has since expanded his role with the company to serve as Co Chairman and Senior Vice President of Development and Acquisition. Ryan graduated with high honors from the School of Business at the University of Tennessee in 2003. While attending college, Ryan founded Mountain Motorsports, a multi franchise motorcycle dealership. From 1999 to 2014, Ryan led Mountain Motorsports to become one of the largest powersport dealership groups in the nation. Mountain Motorsports now owns and operates 9 dealership locations spread across 3 states. They represent a total of 8 manufacturers, and as a group are one of the largest retailers of motorcycles, ATV’s and personal watercraft vehicles in the world.

Ryan has been married to his wife Whitney for 15 years, and they live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two sons Cannon and Ledger.

William P Lloyd Jr. (Bill) Board Member

Bill is the son of Dr. William P. Lloyd Sr., a founding board member. Bill joined the Board of Directors in 2009.

Bill’s education includes a finance degree from Florida State University in 1989. He has attended several continuing education courses since then, and obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1999. Bill began his career in the banking industry in 1990, and over the span of 20 years, worked for several banks, in numerous commercial capacities. Most of his duties involved financial analysis, credit underwriting, and commercial real estate. His current position is EVP, Regional Credit Officer for SmartBank located in the Florida panhandle. Bill and his wife Jennifer live in Panama City, Florida with their two children, Trae and Cameron.

Andrew Wexler Board Member

Andrew Wexler is president and chief executive officer of Herschend Enterprises and was first elected to the board in 2015. Andrew joined Herschend in September of 2007 as a corporate vice president. In 2008, he moved into the role of chief financial officer, and was promoted to CEO in 2015.

Andrew earned a BBA and Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Georgia and obtained his MBA from the Harvard Business School where he graduated as a George F. Baker Scholar (High Distinction). His work experience includes time at Arthur Andersen and McKinsey & Company. Andrew was a co-founder and the chief financial officer of Derivion, a pioneer in internetbased billing, and the chief operating officer of Martin Capital, a real estate development and finance firm. He serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Council and has been named one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Andrew and his wife Kourtney live in Atlanta and have two grown children, Hamilton & Ashlyn.

Carleton Lum Board Member

Carl Lum is chief operating officer of Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE). Carl leads dayto-day operations for all HFE properties. He joined HFE in 2020.

Carl earned an MBA from the University of South Florida. His work experience includes Park President at SeaWorld & Aquatica in San Antonio, TX and Park President of Busch Gardens & Water Country USA, Williamsburg, VA prior to SeaWorld. Under his leadership, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the park continued the long-standing award as the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park. He has served on the board for the Texas Travel Industry Association, Achievable Dream and the Outback Bowl Selection Committee.

Carl and his wife Debbie live in Atlanta and have two grown children.

Ted Miller Board Member

Ted began his career in Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) in 1961 as a cave guide at Silver Dollar City. He was promoted to Director of Operations in the early 1970s and developed a growth strategy for a park near the Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. As Vice President and General Manager, Ted developed the park to an attendance of 750,000 guests. In 1986, he orchestrated a partnership with HFE and Dolly Parton and a re-branding of the park, which then became Dollywood.

Ted is now President and Acting Chairman of The Dollywood Foundation and Imagination Library. He is President of Dolly Parton Productions and serves as an organizing board member of Smart Bank in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Management

Jim Rule

Chief Executive Officer

Jim joined Water Ski Shows, Inc. in 1980 in the Operations Department and he was quickly promoted to Operations Manager. In 1986 his hard work and tenacity paid off and he was promoted to General Manager.

In 1989 Jim made the transition from Water Ski Shows, Inc. to General Manager of the original Stampede. His high standards of excellence coupled with his natural ability to lead and motivate employees soon earned him the position of Senior Vice President/Chief Operations Officer.

After the opening of the third Stampede in Branson, Missouri, he was promoted to President/Chief Operating Officer. Jim specializes in all aspects of the operation from coordinating marketing and operations to opening new facilities and strategic planning.

Jim has over 42 years experience in the entertainment industry.

Gail Rule Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer

Gail began working for Water Ski Shows, Inc. as an office assistant in 1981. She worked her way up through the company and was promoted to Comptroller in 1983.

With the opening of the first Stampede, Gail assumed the Comptroller responsibilities including overseeing the accounting and ticketing departments, along with continuing her duties with Water Ski Shows, Inc. In 1991, she was promoted to Corporate Director of Finance and in 1995 to Vice President of Finance.

Gail is known and respected for her hearty work ethic and hands-on experience in managing the accounting and finance departments.

Jack Lawrence President/Chief Operating Officer

Jack began his career with Stampede in 1994 as the Sales Manager in the Marketing Department for the Branson, Missouri location.

In 1998 Jack made the move to the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee location as the Director of Operations. He then was promoted to General Manager for the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina location. In 2005, he joined the President’s Team as Vice President of Operations. His current areas of responsibility include safety and training, technical aspects of production, and working with the General Managers on operational issues.

Jack’s experience in all operational aspects of the company combined with his understanding of strategic planning, have proven to be valuable assets to the company.

Jack graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Biology. He and his wife Kim have two daughters.

Management

Tracie Farley

Corporate Director of Human Resources & Benefits Administration

Tracie is a 19 year veteran of World Choice Investments. She has held several positions within the organization including Benefits Coordinator and Assistant to the President. Tracie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organization Management and the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation from the Society of Human Resources Management.

Her main areas of responsibilities are coordinating all aspect of Human Resources and benefits across all locations. In addition, Tracie acts as the liaison between the Executive Management team and legal counsel on matters related to governmental compliance, employment matters and insurance issues.

Deborah Henry Corporate Comptroller

Deborah began working for World Choice Investments as Corporate Comptroller in 1996. She came on board when the first network system was put in place for the accounting department. Her responsibilities include overseeing all the accounting departments at each location and managing the corporate accounting staff. Deborah has over 40 years of accounting experience in an array of professions, including banking, hospitality and research and development.

She has been successful at streamlining the compilation, reporting and recording of all the financial information and takes pride in how well her team works for the good of the company.

Deborah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Tusculum College. She is a Sevier County native with two children, one granddaughter and one grandson.

Reggie Robertson

Chief Corporate Pilot

Reggie’s role at World Choice Investments is to manage the day-to-day operations of the flight department. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University and over ten years’ aviation experience, Reggie has a strong passion for safety and providing corporate aviation to World Choice Investments as a flexible and efficient means of travel. He is also an avid motorcycle rider and sim racer.

Information Technology

Jim Terrell

Corporate Information Technology Director

Jim joined the company in the summer of 2004 to oversee the daily operation of computer and network equipment for all locations. He has been instrumental in the planning, implementation and software management of the ticket sales and gift shop point of sales systems. He is responsible for recommendations and budgeting of all IT related equipment and software. Since joining the company, he has been most proud of the work accomplished in standardizing network operations and centralizing system management.

He has over 30 years experience in business related IT operations and end user support in a variety of network environments.

Jim has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from East Tennessee State University.

James Brummet Corporate Information Technology Specialist

James joined World Choice Investments during a large company acquisition in 2019. He has been working in the live theater industry since 2001, where he started working in the concession stand at the Comedy Barn. He worked his way quickly into the box office then to Assistant General Manager and then to General Manager. James was promoted to Information Technology Director after rebuilding an entire ticketing system after a major crash. Since then, he has been working heavily in the IT world. He has 20+ years of experience in the IT realm.

James is certified in A+ and MCSE and is fluent in php, MySQL, Oracle, VBA and VBS. James won innovator of the year at Tickets.com in his first year of working with the company. As an Information Technology Specialist, James handles many elements from Desktops to Signage and software. When not working, James enjoys spending time with his family, playing video games and working out.

Josh Parrish

Corporate Ticketing Systems Administrator

Josh is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He started his career in Aviation Mechanics then moved into the Information Technology field. Prior to joining World Choice Investments as the Corporate Ticketing System Administrator, he held the position of Director of Information Technology for a flexible packaging manufacturer in Albertville, Alabama. He is integral to the daily operations and upgrades of the ticketing system and has helped to streamline processes, as well as launch Tickets at Home. He is excited to help the growth of this company as technology continues to change and evolve in the future.

Technology & Creative

Noah Chandler Corporate Information Technology Specialist

Noah is a born and raised Sevier County native. He joined World Choice Investments in September of 2016 as a walk-on Helpdesk Technician. He works day-to-day in Pigeon Forge to help users in all three of our market locations of Tennessee, South Carolina, and Missouri. He has over 19 years of experience in the IT industry having served in the capacity of Customer Support, Helpdesk / Desktop Support, and overnight Network Operations Support. Growing up he acquired a fondness for the great outdoors and sports in general. Of his achievements, the rank of Eagle Scout in the BSA tops the list. He especially enjoys spending time with his wife Larissa of 17 years, and his 9 year old son Aiden. Noah has an Associates Degree in Computer Science with a focus on Network Administration.

Ken McCabe

Corporate Director of Entertainment

Ken McCabe is one of those rare individuals with show business in his blood. With family roots as far back as Vaudeville, it was no small wonder that, at age 7, Ken took to the stage in a community variety show. In high school he performed in numerous plays and began seriously considering a career in the theater. Ken majored in Theater Arts at SUNY Brockport where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree studying writing, directing and design. He has fulfilled the role of writer, producer and director of shows for Universal Studios Hollywood, Sea World Corporation, Anheuser Busch Theme Parks, Space Camp, China Travel Service and IAAPA.

Ken serves as Corporate Director of Entertainment for World Choice Investments. His responsibilities range from maintaining the overall show quality of all company productions to the creation of new and innovative forms of entertainment to add to the company’s successful venues.

Nate Edie

Corporate Technical Coordinator

Nate has served in many different capacities over the years with the company. Nate is a rare find in an employee, with the hands-on experience and ambition that makes him invaluable in his field. He began his journey in 2001 as a photographer at our Branson location. Nate has held the positions of Show Tech, Sound and Light Supervisor, Assistant Production Manager, Production Manager, and most recently Director of Operations in Pigeon Forge.

His areas of responsibility include all of the property locations. He works extensively with the Production Team at each location to ensure a quality and entertaining show is produced each and every time the doors open.

Creative & Marketing

Rock Smith

Corporate Director of Animal Training and Care Management

In 1992 Rock became part of the World Choice Investments Creative Team as they moved into the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina market at their second location.

Rock works closely with each location’s Production Manager to procure and train the best quality of animals for each show. Rock spends extensive time at each facility working with the personnel responsible for the routine care and training of each animal.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Rock owns and operates Rock Smith Farm, a breeding and boarding facility that houses fifty to sixty horses. He has been breeding American Quarter Horses for 37 years. Rock is a native of Myrtle Beach and grew up in the tourism industry.

Rock has been married to Donna Graham Smith for over 50 years. He has one daughter and a granddaughter who has inherited his love for horses.

Kimberly Maynard Production Manager

Kimberly first joined the team at World Choice Investments as a teenager serving popcorn in the saloon at Stampede in Pigeon Forge, but it wasn’t long before her passion for horses and performance led her to the Production Department where she then went on to perform in the show for over a decade. Always striving for self-improvement and with an affinity for helping others in their personal growth, she then pursued leadership, and as Production Manager she has been able to support many people in developing their talents and finding their confidence all while producing a high-quality show for sold out audiences nightly. Kimberly believes in the importance of investing in yourself and is actively working towards a degree in Business Management and considers kindness, determination, adaptability, and being a team player to be just some of the key attributes found in a great leader.

Marketing

Matt Gibson

Corporate Director of Merchandise

Matt began his career with World Choice Investments at Stampede as the Merchandise Manager at the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee location in February 2012. In February of 2014, he was promoted to Operations Manager and quickly promoted to Director of Operations in January 2015.

Matt comes from a background of family-owned motels and retail stores and became the Corporate Director of Merchandise for World Choice Investments in July 2015. He looks forward to bringing his dedication and experience in the retail and hospitality industry to help grow each location’s merchandise departments.

Matt’s area of responsibilities are retail product development, purchasing and inventory control.

Leah Hicks

Corporate Director of Marketing

Leah is a professional marketer with over 18 years of experience. Relocating from South Florida with her husband, Tim, and two boys, Micah and Kai, Leah joined World Choice Investments as the Director of Marketing for the their two dinner shows in Pigeon Forge. As the Corporate Director of Marketing she now oversees the marketing for all World Choice Investments’ shows and locations. Having an extensive background in personnel and project management, Leah has handled all facets of marketing during her career. Leah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Florida.

An incredible journey of creating family entertainment 1986

Dolly Parton & Fred Hardwick meet to discuss the Stampede concept.

The people who make it happen

jennifer lawson

jennifer loos

jennifer

jennifer

dakutska

jeremy

jeremy

jeremy

jeremy mckinyon

hajba

jeremy spencer

jeremy zimmerman

jerry barnett

jerry chaney

neish

bright • jesse gagnon • jesse lemons • jessica beck • jessica blair • jessica bolin • jessica burden • jessica conley • jessica doolady • jessica kelley • jessica reed • jessica rodgers • jessica selvey • jessica stewart • jessica worsham • jesus haee • jesus villanueva • jill wallace • jim deatley • jim terrell • jimmy whaley • joan baker • joan taylor • jocelyn mayes • jody raymer • joe pizzo • joe reeping • joey bowen • joey herd • john armbruster • john bevins • john edwards • john fauntleroy • john lovell • john mallon • john muir • john richardson • john stair • john stone • john tschudy • john vinson • johneric rentko • johnny jeffrey • johnny logan • jolie medlin • jonathan hardee • jonathan king • jonathan maynard • jonathon powell • jordon bright • joseph bargerstock • joseph cauthen • joseph mcgovern • joseph pichardo • josh bolchoz • josh logan • joshua davis • joshua russell • joshua ryan • joshua watkins • josuel santiago • jovany santiago • joyce ivey • joyce wilson • joyceline azuara • juan arias-luna • juan severiano • juan vargas • juanita rauhuff • judith holstein • judy christian • judy gardner • julian wall, iii • julie janszen • julie michael • julio ponce • justin alford • justin cherenza • justin cook • justin dietterick • justin englehart • justin guinn • justin jornd • justin matthews • kaely swope • kaley cowan • kandice mallon • kara collins • kara tallini • karen hatten • karen knapp • karen wilson • karin westerberg • karla holmberg • karla park • kasandra griffin • katherine rogers • kathleen wills • kathryn borshak • kathy beitel • katie henry • kayla hatten • kayla richardson • keith fine • kelcey vineyard • kelly close • kelly ryan • kelsey amann • kendra durham • kenneth bohling • kenneth carter • kenneth childress • kenneth mays • kenneth moreland • kenneth tegels • kenny holden • kenny stults • kerry kutzko • kesha culp • kevin dilane • kevin moore • kevin raskin • kevin whitledge • kim howe • kim majors • kim stockdill • kimberly mcfarland • kimberly mosley • kimberly wierzchowski • kimmerlee faw • kirk smith • kodii moriuchi • kolton taylor • kris privette • kristal warren • kristen davis • kristen paiko • kristen wilson • kristi smith • kristopher mcfarland • krystal alvarez • kyle platou • kyle rife • kyle stuber • kyle west • kylie speights • lacey gullord • lacey hubbs • lacey provance • lana frueh • lance collins • lance fischer • lanette croft • larry gilliland • larry skidmore • lashawn williams • latoya sanders • laura canote • laura zywica • lauren crotts • lauren groelinger • lauren harris • laurie rouse • laysa bowman • leanne aubin • leda close • lee avis • leighford roby • leonardo encarnacion • leota stiernagle • les weist • leslee nelson • leslie prince • lh mccoy • liliana arreaga • linda heyne • linda ramsey • linda rose • linda story • linda watson

The incredible journey continues . . .

“American Stampede” is an exciting new dinner and show concept in the successful style of Dolly Parton’s Stampede. This unusual blend of live animals, theatrical production effects and audience participation takes families back to the wild and wooly days of the old west.

Through eye-popping special effects, guests will experience the mystery and magic of Native American legend and lore. They will watch in awe as a herd of long horn steer and a real wagon train make their way across the prairie and into the west. They’ll celebrate with the western pioneers in a nighttime musical hoedown sure to get everyone’s feet a-stompin’.

When a cantankerous old prospector discovers “gold in them thar hills,” he starts a rush of gold diggers from the east who arrive aboard an unbelievably real, life-sized steam locomotive. This sets off a rivalry between the western settlers and the folks from the east that can only be solved in a friendly competition to see which side will ultimately get the gold. With its gun-spinning, rope-twirling, whip-cracking, trick-riding fun combined with audience participation and a scrumptious four course feast, everyone will want to join the American Stampede!

Pigeon Forge, TN

Beach, SC

MO

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge, TN

Pigeon Forge, TN General Manager:

General Manager: Rob Mills

General Manager: Jesse Kuhs

Travis Scroggins