Paramount's Kings Dominion

[1]. Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Giorgio Armani (Subscribers see complete biographies -- view sample) CFO Paolo Fontanelli EVP, Worldwide Communications Robert Triefus. On January 27, 2006, the website of the Dayton Daily News reported that CBS Corporation would be selling Kings Dominion and other parks in its Paramount Parks division. In 2006, he designed the outfits worn by participants bringing in the Italian flag at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Kings Dominion was one of the amusement parks featured in the 1977 movie Rollercoaster. In 2002, he was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. It features a 1/3 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. In 2001, Forbes magazine named Giorgio Armani the most successful designer out of Italy, estimating his net worth at $1.7 billion.

Schools often visit the park for a "Science field trip" where students study the physics of roller coasters firsthand. In 1996, Armani was one of several designers convicted of corruption. The park also has a private "Picnic Pavilion" for catered parties and company events. His sister Rosanna Armani joined him in the company; Galeotti died in 1985. In addition to rides, Kings Dominion hosts many live concerts and performances. He achieved his international breakthrough by tailoring for numerous Hollywood names and especially for Richard Gere in the title role of American Gigolo in 1980/81. Recently, Paramount's Kings Dominion has added many new rides and attractions including a water park, the Hypersonic Xtreme Launch Coaster, one of two compressed-air launch coasters in the world, and Drop Zone, the highest vertical drop ride in the U.S. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines.

Paramount's Kings Dominion has 12 roller coasters, the largest collection on the East coast, the oldest being the Rebel Yell and the junior coaster Scooby Doo. with a menswear label, introducing a ladies' wear line in 1975. In 1993 Paramount purchased Kings Dominion and changed its name to Paramount's Kings Dominion. In 1974, with assistance from his partner, Sergio Galeotti, he established his own company, Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Although the Lion Country Safari attraction was the first portion of the park to open, it was phased out by the late 1980s. From 1961 to 1970, Armani worked as a designer in well-known fashion house Nino Cerruti, after which he left to pursue freelance work. The name derived from its Lion Country Safari attraction which featured a small preserve of lions, ostrich, and other live exotic animals. He then worked in a department store, La Rinascente, as a window dresser.

Kings Dominion was opened in 1975 by Family Leisure Centers, a joint venture between Top Value Enterprises and Taft Broadcasting Company, both of Cincinnati, Ohio. He originally trained in medicine, then gave it up to pursue photography, before being called up for national service in 1957. The park is owned by CBS Corporation and is part of the Paramount Parks chain. Giorgio Armani was born 11 July 1934 in Piacenza, Italy). Paramount's Kings Dominion is located in Doswell in Hanover County 23 miles north of Richmond, Virginia on Interstate 95. Giorgio Armani is a famous Italian fashion designer particularly noted for his menswear. 2006: Italian Job Turbo Coaster (under construction as of November 2, 2005).

2005: Tomb Raider Firefall (giant top spin). 2004: Scooby Doo and the Haunted Mansion. 2003: Drop Zone Stunt Tower (freefall ride); Spongebob Squarepants 3D. 2002: Ricochet (coaster); Triple Spin; Diamond Falls closes.

2001: HyperSonic XLC (coaster); 7th Portal. 2000: Nickelodeon Central; Pipeline Peak added to Waterworks. 1999: Expansion of Hurricane Reef water park to Waterworks. 1998: Volcano, The Blast Coaster (coaster); Paramount Action FX Theater replaces Days of Thunder.

1997: Taxi Jam (coaster); Hanna-Barbera Land renamed KidZville. 1996: Outer Limits: Flight of Fear; Xtreme SkyFlyer. Showplace Amphitheatre reopened as Kingswood Amphitheatre. 1995: Nickelodeon Splat City.

1994: Hurler (coaster); Old Dominion Line steam train removed. 1993: Days of Thunder. 1992: Hurricane Reef water park. 1991: Anaconda (coaster).

1990: Hanna Barbera Land expansion. 1989: Sky Pilot. 1988: Avalanche (coaster). 1987: Racing Rivers.

1986: Shockwave (coaster); King Kobra coaster removed. 1985: Diamond Falls; Scooby's Play Park. 1984: Smurf Mountain replaced Mine Train; Berserker. 1983: White Water Canyon.

1982: Grizzly (coaster); Showplace Amphitheatre. 1981: Widescreen movie theater. 1980: Haunted River replaced Journey to Atlantis. 1979: Lost World themed area, featuring Journey to Atlantis, The Mine Train, and Timeshaft.

1978: Campground opened. 1977: King Kobra (coaster). 1976: Apple Turnover. Rebel Yell (coaster).

1975: Park opened.