Bridgette Bywater Recognized as One of Virginia’s Most Powerful and Influential Leaders
Kings Dominion’s own Vice President and General Manager, Bridgette Bywater, has been named one of the 500 most powerful and influential leaders in the state of Virginia. The annual list was released by Virginia Business magazine and recognizes leaders in business, government, politics, travel and more.
“When I give my elevator speech about the Virginia 500, it usually starts this way: It’s like the Fortune 500, but instead of focusing on companies, it’s about people” said Virginia Business Editor, Richard Foster.
Bywater was the only female of the 12 recognized in the Arts/Entertainment/Sports category, and one of only 95 women leaders recognized in the list of 500. She also is one of five female general managers at Cedar Fair Entertainment.
Bywater moved to Virginia in 2021 and became the eighth vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. With more than 30 years in the theme park industry and 24 years with Kings Dominion’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment, Bywater was instrumental in overseeing the reopening of the park following the pandemic. She also worked to raise pay rates at the park and made Kings Dominion a cashless operation.
Bywater started with Cedar Fair as a seasonal associate in 1992 at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri. She also serves on the boards of ChamberRVA and Richmond Region Tourism.