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Meet the person who transformed Knott’s Berry Farm into a food festival venue – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)
>>[Jon] Storbeck, 61, joined Knott’s in 2016 after more than 30 years of working for Disney. The North Tustin resident started at Disneyland after college as a ride operator and rose to the top ranks — serving as vice president of Downtown Disney and Disney’s three Anaheim hotels.<<
>>Storbeck believes entertainment is essential to emotional health and social well-being — even if state officials categorize Knott’s and other theme parks as non-essential businesses.
“I’ve had people come up to me crying because they are so appreciative of us giving them someplace they can go,” Storbeck said. “Mothers and daughters who say, ‘I haven’t been out of the house for six months. This is the first time I felt safe. You didn’t let me down.’ We’re an important part of our community and I’m just so appreciative of the guests that came out and continue to support us.”
Only about 20% of those attending the Taste events have been Knott’s season passholders — which was surprising to Storbeck.
“We’re probably exposing Knott’s to a whole different audience that wouldn’t normally have been here,” Storbeck said.
>>[Jon] Storbeck, 61, joined Knott’s in 2016 after more than 30 years of working for Disney. The North Tustin resident started at Disneyland after college as a ride operator and rose to the top ranks — serving as vice president of Downtown Disney and Disney’s three Anaheim hotels.<<
>>Storbeck believes entertainment is essential to emotional health and social well-being — even if state officials categorize Knott’s and other theme parks as non-essential businesses.
“I’ve had people come up to me crying because they are so appreciative of us giving them someplace they can go,” Storbeck said. “Mothers and daughters who say, ‘I haven’t been out of the house for six months. This is the first time I felt safe. You didn’t let me down.’ We’re an important part of our community and I’m just so appreciative of the guests that came out and continue to support us.”
Only about 20% of those attending the Taste events have been Knott’s season passholders — which was surprising to Storbeck.
“We’re probably exposing Knott’s to a whole different audience that wouldn’t normally have been here,” Storbeck said.