Skater’s Dad New General Manager At Legoland

Legoland is kicking off the new year with a new General Manager.

The Resort today announced that long-time President and General Manager, John Jakobsen has left California to focus on the development of new LEGOLAND Parks and other corporate projects. Peter Ronchetti (pictured right) who has been the General Manager of Thorpe Park (one of the largest parks within the Merlin Entertainments Group) for more than six years, will step in as General Manager as of today.

Ronchetti is more well-know in the skate world as 15-year-old vert skater Paul-Luc Ronchetti’s dad. The younger Ronchetti won the UK National Skateboard Championship in Vert last September.

Wonder whose career is guiding this family re-location? Follow the link for all the details.
LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT RINGS IN
THE NEW YEAR WITH NEW GM
Peter Ronchetti Steps into Lead Role for
LEGOLAND Park and SEA LIFETM Aquarium

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2008) – The new year brings big change to LEGOLAND® California Resort in the shape of a new General Manager. The Resort today announced that long-time President and General Manager, John Jakobsen has left California to focus on the development of new LEGOLAND Parks and other corporate projects. Peter Ronchetti, who has been the General Manager of Thorpe Park (one of the largest parks within the Merlin Entertainments Group) for more than six years, will step in as General Manager as of today.

LEGOLAND California Resort encompasses two attraction properties – LEGOLAND California, a 128-acre family theme park and SEA LIFE™, a two-story 36,000 square-foot interactive aquarium geared specifically for children ages 2 to 12.

“As you can imagine, being general manager of LEGOLAND California Resort is more than a part-time job,” said Jakobsen, who has been splitting time as General Manager of all four LEGOLAND Parks and the recently announced projects in Dubai and Malaysia. “Many exciting new things are on the horizon for LEGOLAND California and I have no doubt that Peter Ronchetti will be a great asset to the Resort during this time of growth and change.”

Ronchetti comes to LEGOLAND California from the U.K. with more than 20 years of management experience. “This is such an exciting time for me both personally and professionally,” said Ronchetti. “I look forward to the continued development of LEGOLAND California Resort as the number one destination for families with young children in North America and to living the ‘California Dream’ with my family.”

He is moving to Carlsbad with his wife Liz and their two sons, Paul-Luc (15 and a semi-professional skateboarder) and Jordi (13). Ronchetti will make his first public appearance as General Manager in February at the Resort’s annual press conference.

Jakobsen is now the Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks and will be based out of Merlin Entertainment’s corporate headquarters in Poole, England. He will continue to visit LEGOLAND California several times a year.