May 28, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Six Flags, owner of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, has hired Ash Walia as chief financial officer, starting June 17.
Walia was most recently the CFO of Hot Topic and 99 Cents Only Stores, which are owned by private-equity firms. He worked earlier for Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX)where he “helped achieve improvements in operational efficiency and profitability,” according to a Six Flags statement.
The Walia appointment follows changes that started in December, when Six Flags named a new chief executive, John Reilly. and has made other management changes since. The company has named presidents at 10 large parks (not Dorney) and brought in a new executive chairman.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based amusement-park operator has floundered since Six Flags and Cedar Fair, then owner of Dorney, combined in 2024. The new company has dealt with bad weather, financial losses and debt.
As of March 29, Six Flags’ net debt was $5.27 billion. The company has sold six parks and is completing the sale of another, with proceeds going toward the debt.
Reilly’s comments on Walia note the new CFO’s experience “leading organizations through transitional periods.”.
“We are confident we are taking the right steps, and now have the right team in place, to strengthen our company’s balance sheet, expand margins and deliver sustainable, long-term value for shareholders,” Reilly said.
Walia is a graduate of the University of Delhi, India.
Dave Hoffman, the interim CFO since May 8, will continue to serve as chief accounting officer. Former CFO Brian Witherow left the company in May.
Shares of Six Flags (NYSE:FUN) traded at $20.16 as of 11:13 a.m. today. In the past 52 weeks, the shares have traded as high as $34.96 and as low as $12.51.
Dorney Park was family owned until 1992, when Cedar Fair acquired it after a lengthy battle between the executive and legislative branches of Lehigh County government. The 1992 deal included the use of county land, leading to the squabble over the South Whitehall Township park.
Disclosure: I own shares in Six Flags.
Here is a link to the company statement, and below is an abbreviated cut-and-paste version, omitting boilerplate references:
Six Flags Appoints Ash Walia Chief Financial Officer
May 27, 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) (“Six Flags” or the “Company”), North America’s largest regional amusement park operator, today announced the appointment of Ash Walia as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 17, 2026.
Ash Walia is a seasoned executive with more than twenty years of financial leadership at national retail and consumer businesses and significant experience leading large scale business transformations. He most recently served as CFO of private equity-owned Hot Topic and 99 Cents Only Stores. At both companies, he built high-performing teams and developed strategic frameworks to instill financial discipline and drive profitable growth through transitional moments for the businesses. Previously, he held several senior financial roles at Starbucks Corporation across operations, logistics and supply chain management, and helped achieve improvements in operational efficiency and profitability.
“Ash’s appointment follows a comprehensive search to identify the right leader to guide our financial organization in our next chapter, and we are excited to welcome him to the Six Flags team,” said Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly. “Ash’s deep financial expertise and experience leading organizations through transitional periods to unlock profitable growth will be valuable as we continue to advance our ongoing efforts to improve performance and create a more resilient business. We are confident we are taking the right steps, and now have the right team in place, to strengthen our company’s balance sheet, expand margins and deliver sustainable, long-term value for shareholders.”
“Six Flags is a storied business with a renowned portfolio of parks, and it is an honor to be joining the Company at such a pivotal moment,” said Walia. “With a new operating philosophy and clear strategic priorities, I believe Six Flags is well positioned to capture the tremendous opportunities ahead. I look forward to working closely with John and the rest of the team to strengthen Six Flags’ financial foundation and drive value for guests and shareholders.”
Dave Hoffman, who has been serving as interim Chief Financial Officer since May 8, 2026, will continue to serve as Chief Accounting Officer.
About Ash Walia
Ash Walia has served as Chief Financial Officer of Hot Topic since 2021. Prior to Hot Topic, Walia was Chief Financial Officer of 99 Cents Only Stores, where he oversaw the finance, IT and marketing teams. From 2011 to 2018, he held various senior leadership roles at Starbucks Corporation across corporate finance, shared services and supply chain operations, including leading corporate finance as Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance. Earlier in his career, he spent seven years in supply chain financial roles of escalating responsibility with Kellogg’s, eventually serving as Vice President Finance, Global Supply Chain. Walia holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Delhi, India.
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is North America’s largest regional amusement-resort operator, with 20 amusement parks, 14 water parks and nine resort properties across 13 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Company also manages an amusement park in Saudi Arabia. Focused on its purpose of creating FUN, thrills and a lifetime of memories, Six Flags provides immersive entertainment to millions of guests every year with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks, resorts and a portfolio of beloved intellectual property such as Looney Tunes®, DC Comics® and PEANUTS®.
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