Kevin Russell

Biography

Currently the Director of Maintenance and Engineering for Herschend Enterprises, Kevin started in the amusement industry 36 years ago designing control systems for the ride manufacturer Arrow Dynamics.  He has worked on both the manufacturer’s and owner’s sides of the amusement industry including 10 years with Paramount Parks.  He has also worked in the power and ropeway industries. Kevin holds a BSEE from the University of Wyoming, is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), and a Certified Machinery Safety Expert (CMSE).   Kevin is currently the subcommittee chair for F24:20, as well as the co-chair for the task group writing a risk assessment standard for the amusement industry.  He has participated in several Risk Assessment presentations for IAAPA, and has taught control systems classes at AIMs for the last 9 years.  In 2023 he was awarded the Dr. Richard H Brown Memorial Exceptional Service award by the ASTM F24 Committee.   Kevin has worked with downtime and maintenance recordkeeping systems ranging from extensive spreadsheet systems to MS Access and inhouse developed systems.