Butler Amusements

Earl "Butch" Butler, CEO and President Butch co-founded the company with his father George 36 years ago and has built it into one of the nations largest amusement enterprises. Butch attended Austin Junior College in Minnesota, where he majored in Business Administration. His creativity and innovative skills have made him one of the most respected carnival industry figures in the nation. He was deeply honored and gained crowning achievement at the recent 2005 Western Fairs Convention in Reno, Nevada, where he was inducted into the WFA Hall of Fame, in recognition of, outstanding service to the industry and the for providing carnivals to countless fairs in the West. Butch has consistently been a leader in promoting improved carnival ride safety and game legislation in California. He has served in a number of leadership capacities including: President of the Showfolk’s of America, Showmen’s League of America, and Pacific Coast Showmen's League; Service Member Director of the Western Fairs Association; and has sat on the Board of Directors for Preferred Amusement Risk, as well as, acting as the Chairman of its Loss Prevention Committee.

Richard Byrum, Vice President Rich is responsible for booking shows at more than 110 engagements annually. A native of Michigan, Rich grew up on a farm showing livestock extensively at fairs and shows throughout the Midwest, until his graduation from Michigan State University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Business and a Master of Arts Degree in Agricultural Education. He was active as a youth in both 4-H and FFA, and served as State FFA President in Michigan, from 1965 through 1966. His professional experience has included serving as Supervisor of Youth Activities at the Michigan State Fair, in Detroit; ten years as General Manager of the National Cattle Congress Fair in Waterloo, Iowa; and Manager of the Antelope Valley Fair in Lancaster, California. Rich has served in his current capacity with Butler Amusements since 1984. He and his wife Alison have two daughters, Betsy a high school senior, and Cori who will be a freshman this year at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Colleen Swank, Company Vice President Collen is the sister of Butch Butler. Colleen and each of her four children, have in the past traveled with the show, and were active participants in the company's operations. Her daughter, Tiffany, and her husband Eric currently operate game concessions.

Tom Shobaken, Secretary/Treasurer Tom is a graduate of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining the company, he worked for K-Mart Corporation in Detroit, Michigan. He held many positions ranging from Assistant Store Manager, Internal Auditor, Audit Department Manager, and he was also a member of the Controller's Internal Staff. Tom owned and operated rides and game concessions with the Butler Family for over 20 years and was the original partner in the purchase of the first Spectacular ride, the "Flying Bobs." Today, in addition to his Corporate Controller and Secretary/Treasurer responsibilities, Tom manages the Corporate Administrative Office located in Beaverton, Oregon.

Anita Johnson, Executive Assistant to Butch Butler Anita assists with General Show Operations. She joined Butler Amusements in 1988 after serving 10 years as Fair Manager at the Salinas Valley Fair in King City, California. Anita assisted in the show's Booking Department for 10 years before transferring to her current assignment. Anita has two daughters and one son, as well as, two grandchildren.

Mary Caspell, Claims Manager (Beaverton, Oregon Office) Mary coordinates the company's Insurance Claims Management. She works closely with all aspects of the company's Risk Management Program and helps the company comply with the various regulatory issues confronting Butler Amusement's multi-state operation. Before joining the company, she served five years as Sales Manager for Peter Corvallis Productions in Portland, Oregon and five years as Sales Manager for See Designs in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both companies were full-service convention and special event production companies.

Andrea Owen, Marketing Director Andrea works in the Booking and Marketing Office in Fairfield, California. She assists with preparation of contract proposals and marketing, and promotion materials, as well as, helping coordinate overall show logistics. Prior to her current role in the company, she managed one of the carnival road unit offices. Besides her heavy work schedule Andrea is continuing her education majoring in Business.

MOBILE UNIT OFFICE MANAGERS

Mick & Kris Butler Brajevich Mick, also company Vice President, started his career in the carnival industry in 1976. His experience includes many facets of the business including, game concessions, Lot Layout Specialist, and Assistant Unit Manager. Currently he manages one of the two main road units. In addition to playing many California fairs and events, his route also includes many of the largest fairs in the states of Oregon and Washington. Kris, Butch's daughter, operates food concessions, and helps manage the road unit office. Both Mick and Kris are also busy taking care of their four young children - Jacob, Dillon, Sydney Lou and Michelle.

Kurt & Kathy Vomberg Kurt serves as the Unit Manager on Butch's Unit. He is undisputedly considered one of the Nation's most knowledgeable and experienced Carnival Managers. He has a long family history in business, which includes his own family's Badger State Shows in Wisconsin. His extensive resume includes ten years as Carnival Manager for both Murphy Brothers Expositions and Farrow Shows. Both carnival companies serve many of the Midwest's largest fairs including the Wisconsin State Fair, New Mexico State Fair, Tulsa Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma State Fair, Missouri State Fair, North Dakota State Fair, and many others. Kurt is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a degree in Business Administration. Kurt's wife Kathy assists in the operation of Butch's Unit office. She has deep in the industry since birth, as her family started and operated Farrow Shows. Kathy shares with Butler Amusements her extensive experience and knowledge of the Carnival Industry.

Lance & Jill Butler Moyer Jill is the youngest daughter of show owner Butch Butler and along with husband Lance, owns and operates food and game concessions. Lance is also a company Vice President, and a very important company figure in his capacity as a Unit Manager. His industry experience is extensive having worked for many years as a Game and Food Concessions Manager. Prior to assuming his current position, he worked extensively with Ride Maintenance and Safety Programs, which are still a major part of his responsibilities. Both Jill and Lance are also past President's of the Pacific Coast Showmen's Organizations, having served as Club Presidents for the Show Folk's of America. The Moyer's have three young sons - Kristopher, Cannon and Nolan, who are part of the fourth family generation involved with Butler Amusements.

Kelsey Lopresto Kelsey is a show Unit Manager and assists with Butch's Unit at the larger fairs. He and his wife Samantha have two daughters, Bailey and Keelie. The Lopresto's own and operate game's concessions, which book with the company. Kelsey is well known in California Fair and Carnival circles as a result of his 26 years of industry career.

Ron & Tami Butler Quint Ron is the show's Director of Transportation and Tami, in addition to operating food concessions, Manages the office at Winter Quarters in Santa Nella, California. The Quint's have three children - Amanda, Marissa and Kyle. Ron's responsibilities include coordinating the transportation of the entire carnival from one event to the next, as well as, overseeing the maintenance of the show's vehicle fleet.

Jim Hall Jim was virtually born into the industry as his father before him was also in the business. He is a State Certified Amusement Ride Inspector in both Oregon and Washington, as well as, an Oregon Licensed Journeyman Electrician. Now in his eighth year with the company, he serves as an Assistant Unit Manager and is heavily involved with company ride safety and maintenance. When the show is in Winter Quarters, Jim oversees the major maintenance and refurbishing of several rides. Before joining the company, Jim had management experience with the James Drew Exposition and operated several large super spectacular rides for independent ride owners in all parts of North America.

Kelley Butler Finalyson Kelly is the company's Food Concession Manager and she also manages Butch's Unit office. She is Butch's daughter and along with her husband Bart, have three children - Nathan, Brittney and Ashley. Bart has a long association in the industry and owns his own carnival, which plays small community events in the California Central Valley.

Bill Redford Bill serves as Butler Amusements Winter Quarters Manager in Santa Nella and is in charge of overseeing all operations and repairs.

LAYOUT SPECIALISTS

Curt Larson Curt is a Senior Advance Man and Lot Layout Specialist. He has been with the company for over 25 years. Butler Amusements is especially proud of Curt, as he is a Pearl Harbor Veteran. Prior to joining the company, he performed carnival layout and design for West Coast Shows and Western Pacific Shows. His background also includes experience as an Owner and Operator of game concessions and rides. His long time associations and knowledge of the industry have helped nearly every major fair in the West become more successful. Curt is well known and highly respected in the carnival industry. He is also a past President of Showfolk's of America.

Tom Yentsch Tom has been an Advance Man and Lot Layout Specialist for the past eight years and has been with the show in other capacities since its inception. Prior to assuming his current role he was an independent Ride and Food Concession Operator.

Butler Amusements, Inc. Annual Management Conference 2006.