This month on the blog we are highlighting families who work together at the Boardwalk! With over a thousand team members employed annually, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk embraces families who choose to work together, so we wanted to reach out and see what it is like to work with your spouse, sibling, cousin… Dive into this month’s article to hear some fun stories and positive aspects team members expressed, that contribute to what makes the Seaside Company a family.
The Boardwalk is one of the few remaining family-owned and operated amusement parks in the country and with such a large workforce we have found many familial ties throughout the company. (Visit one of our previous blogs to learn more about the leadership legacy that has been a part of the Boardwalk for generations!) We interviewed employees with family members who also work at the Boardwalk, and are excited to share some fun excerpts and reflections. Team members across a variety of departments from our Leadership Team, Retail, Property Management, and Maintenance, have family working within the organization! We appreciated all who participated and shared and were even surprised by all of the connections.
Omid Aminifard, Chief Operating Officer/General Manager, has been working with his son, Aiden Aminifard, for the past 5 years. Omid values the experience that Aiden is gaining from the Seaside Company, and appreciates “knowing that he is growing and developing into an adult by learning and interacting with other employees and guests.” Aiden also reflected on the additional time that working together offers their busy lives. “I love spending breaks with my dad in his office and being able to see him throughout the day. I get to spend time with him and have lunch with him daily.” Omid’s youngest son has also recently joined the team as a seasonal employee.
Julie Rogers, a Seaside Company Property Manager, her son Jonathan, Retail Assistant Manager, and her daughter, Emma, Guest Services Supervisor, have found that working for the same company has strengthened their familial bond! Jonathan, a friendly face around the Boardwalk, commented on their shared experience: “What I love about having my family working at the Boardwalk is that we have this commonality that we can have shared experiences with and go to each other about ideas we have. It’s great to be able to all go to Boardwalk events together and hang out.”
These employees have listed a variety of additional benefits like planning vacations together, carpooling to work, and taking breaks with each other. Murphy Felton, HR Talent Acquisition Manager, shared her perspective on why she thinks there are so many relatives that work at the Boardwalk.
“When an organization like the Boardwalk has been around for over 100 years, there presents almost a generational impact for local families. Applicants will say, ‘My mom or dad or grandparent worked here when they were a kid.’ Some see it as a rite of passage into the work force. ‘It was my parents first job and I want it to be mine, too.’ We get a number of younger siblings as well. ‘My brother has worked here and now that I’m old enough, I want to, too.’ Family members working together is a unique aspect of the Boardwalk and these values allow for employees within the same family with diverse skill sets and backgrounds to be a part of making memories that last a lifetime.”
Karley Pope, Director of Marketing & Sales, has been with the company for 20 years and is now working with her two children, Ethan & Sienna! Ethan just wrapped up his third season with the Foodservice team, and Sienna finished her first summer working in retail. They can all appreciate the convenience that this provides, and enjoy getting ice cream together after work, getting coffee, or just hanging out on lunch breaks.
Aside from carpooling and taking breaks together, Karley also appreciates: “talking about work with understanding.” While that aspect might easily get overlooked, it’s something that many crew members and associates can relate to. The benefits of shared experience can cast a wide net, and clearly resonate throughout the company. This is another prime example of the Seaside Company encouraging families to collaborate and join the workforce together.
Marcy Brenkwitz, Executive Assistant, recounted the positive experience and culture that the company provides, making it an obvious recommendation for employees to share with family members.
“I know that the leadership of this company genuinely cares about its employees, and I’m fortunate to be part of this team, so I was super stoked to connect my nephew to this company where he has the opportunity to experience a great job, working for good people, in a positive culture. I guess it’s sort of that protective nature of an aunt – I want all of my nieces of nephews (and my own sons, of course!) to have great life experiences that help them grow and learn in a safe place.”
Employees also shared some fun stories of working together. Andrew Jacquez, Painter, and his wife Brianna, HR Operations Manager, shared the benefits of working together, and the value that it adds to their lives. One fun story they recounted was getting to drive the Boardwalk car in the Holiday parade in downtown Santa Cruz along with their children. Andrew’s advice for other families that work together, “Encourage each other to be the best at whatever it is you are doing.”
Working together can have its perks, and sometimes unexpected situations… Aiden Aminifard recalled a funny story, “One time, my dad was the Manager on Duty (MOD) and when I was working in foodservice, I was cooking chicken wings and I had a heat stroke and passed out. My dad, as the MOD, responded to check on the ’employee who passed out’ not knowing it was me. He found me and realized I was the one who had passed out and it was a really funny moment, I was completely fine but it was embarrassing for me to have to encounter my dad at work in a situation like that.”
Family ties are unique, and add value to our lives in so many ways. We are lucky here at the Boardwalk to witness and support the success of our employees and their families. Do you have family members that work together at the Boardwalk or another company? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Cheers,
Ezra
