President retires
After 22 years as president of Sally Corporation, Howard Kelley has retired. He joined Sally in 1985 after serving as vice-president and general manager of an American network television station and corporate director of strategic planning.
A PMD graduate of the Harvard Business School and the Japan International School of Business Studies, he brought a high level of business and management skills to the fledgling company that helped to propel Sally Corporation to its current status as a leading provider of interactive dark rides and animatronics to parks, attractions and museums worldwide. An honouree of IAAPA and a founding supporter of the TEA, he has also served as a director of the TiLE conference in Europe.
“Howard has played an integral role in the growth of our company,” notes Sally CEO John Wood. “I could not have asked for a better partner during all these years. Among his many contributions to the company is his extensive knowledge of the intricacies of digital media. He moved us into the 21st century, and is the architect of our website and computer network. Howard has also worked extensively in the European market over the years, where he has spearheaded numerous very successful Sally projects. He will be greatly missed by all of us here.”
Among the projects bearing Kelley’s imprint are Challenge of Tutankhamen at Walibi, Belgium, the unique Astrid Lindgren’s World dark ride in Sweden, Vi På Saltkråkan, and numerous Spanish projects including Labyrinth of the Minotaur at Terra Mitica, El Ultimo Minuto at Dinopolis, The House of Katmandu in Mallorca and La Aventura de Scooby-Doo at Warner Bros Movie World in Madrid.
Kelley plans to remain on the Sally board. “I won’t be sitting around,” he says. “I plan to stay occupied with a number of different interests; perhaps do some teaching at a local university. And spend time with my wife, Ann, even do some travelling…but for pleasure rather than business.”
