AAMA Selects Pete Gustafson As Its New Executive Vice-President John Schultz Retires In May

Peter Gustafson

Gustafson, who has spent 30-plus years in the coin-op entertainment sector, is currently the U.S. general manager of Sega Amusements International Ltd. He began his career at Bally Pinball in the early '80s, while serving in the Marine Corps Reserve. He spent most of his career in marketing and sales at Sega, with several interim assignments at other amusement companies, including Face Place and LAI Games.

At the beginning of the new millennium, Gustafson became an active AAMA member, joining several committees and helping to organize some of the association's events. He was elected to AAMA's board of directors in 2001, and has remained on the board ever since. He was elected as AAMA's president in 2013, and held that post for two years. In 2015, AAMA recognized Gustafson's contributions to the association by bestowing on him its highest honor, the Joe Robbins Award.

The association kicked off a national search for a new executive vice-president last fall. AAMA president Chris Felix of Crane Payment Innovations led the search committee. "It was a long process with several great candidates," Felix said. "We feel that we have really made the right decision." Rounding out the search committee was AAMA vice-president Holly Hampton of Bay Tek Games and past-president David Cohen of Firestone Financial. | SEE STORY

AAMA is an international trade organization representing manufacturers, distributors and parts suppliers involved in the coin-operated amusement industry. Since its formation in 1981, it has had five executive heads. In addition to the executive vice-president, the association has two other full-time staff positions. Tina Schwartz, who has been with the association for 17 years, is business and finance manager and Ashley Davis is the administrative aide. "Ashley and I are looking forward to having Pete join our team," Schwartz said. "He is a great choice. His energy and positive attitude are infectious and his industry knowledge will be a real asset."

John Schultz

"John, with his years of industry experience, has positioned the association for continued success," Felix said. "He has been a real asset and will be greatly missed."

Schultz spearheaded several AAMA initiatives, which have provided the association with a blueprint for the future. He was a key negotiator in the merger of AAMA's former trade show, the Amusement Showcase International, and the Amusement and Music Operators Association's show into the new Amusement Expo International, held annually in the spring. Notably, his guidance in government affairs has given the amusement industry an authoritative voice in Washington; opposing changes to metallic content of U.S. coins was among the biggest issues with which he's been involved. And AAMA's membership has increased about 30% during his seven-year tenure.

As Schultz makes his departure, AAMA will begin an ambitious membership drive, which he helped to create, targeting family entertainment center operators and suppliers. The association's year-old FEC Committee is planning to launch several initiatives to serve its growing FEC membership base. | READ MORE