To help you get to know who’s who in Illinois tourism, ITN profiles an industry leader each month. This month we introduce Jim Crowley, Director of Marketing for Six Flags Great America.

According to Jim Crowley, Six Flags Great America’s director of marketing, Gurnee is quite busy these days. And with everything on deck for the upcoming year, it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down anytime soon.

It all started back on September 16, 2004 with the announcement of their new capital for the 2005 season — Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. Carrying the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor brand name, the massive new Caribbean-themed water park will be located right next to Six Flags Great America in north suburban Gurnee. The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor water park is the largest addition in the history of Six Flags Great America. These two world-class parks will offer guests nearly 120 acres of wet and dry thrill rides, great shows, attractions and fun for guests of all ages.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will feature 25 exhilarating water slides, a gigantic family water playground with the world’s largest interactive water structure, a massive wave pool, a half-mile long adventure river and hours of activities for the entire family. The new water park will also give guests the opportunity to vacation close to home, providing a full complex of world-class entertainment.

Understandably, Crowley has been busy with the new addition and is anxiously awaiting its opening this summer.

Crowley started his career as an outer sales representative for Marriott’s Great America in February 1983 (he claims he was only 12 years old!). He lived in Madison, Wis. and his territory covered nearly two-thirds of the state. He moved to Chicago in 1984 — the same year Six Flags bought Marriott’s Great America — to work in a newly created sales territory, and did so until 1986 when he was promoted to a regional sales manager. After five years, Crowley was given the opportunity to manage the entire sales team and became the general sales manager.

In 1996, the manager of advertising and promotions position became available and Crowley jumped at it. He remained in that position until 2000 when he was given another great opportunity to manage the entire Marketing Department, and continues to serve as the director of marketing. This month, Crowley will be celebrating his 22nd year with Great America and continues to feel very fortunate to work for a company whose major focus is putting smiles on people’s faces.

Crowley has served on the Lake County, Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors for the past four years and is currently serving as chairman.

Born and raised in Peoria, Crowley lived there until he graduated from Western Illinois University. His mother, siblings, nieces and nephews all still live in Peoria despite his efforts to try to get them to move closer to him.

Crowley and his wife Gail have two great sons, Patrick (9) and Jack (5), and reside in Elmhurst. They love to travel, and, not surprisingly, go to theme parks and water parks. He also enjoys playing golf and participating in or going to any type of sports activities or events.