NEWS + RUMOR: Fred Grubb and Alan Schilke have retired!

[swfan1988]

Hi Everyone!

So...I first saw this news on reddit and was like "Yeah that's a bunch of BS" However, today Coaster Studios posted an interview from IAAPA with a man by the name of Darren Torr. (I choose not to link because I have a funny feeling that Taylor Bybee is persona non grata on these forums (not that I like Taylor that much either)... but the interview is out there, I promise) In the interview, Torr says that he started with RMC right around the time they started working on Stunt Pilot, and that eventually Fred and him worked out a way where Daren would assume ownership of RMC! He was vague on specifics but seemed to indicate that he is now the company's owner/president and Fred is now a partner/mentor/advisor.

He apparently worked at several major steel manufacturing firms, including in leadership positions, but has no previous amusement industry experience. He says he is a firm believer in innovation, and that he thinks that RMC has a great team and has a very bright future.

While I'm a little concerned, since I believe that one of the biggest challenges for any business is when the founder retires, steps away, passes away, or otherwise "moves on", it seems to me that if RMC under Torr's leadership continues the company's trend of innovation, and finding creative ideas and solutions for the amusement park industry than RMC does have a bright future. Personally, I hope he pushes the company to introduce more models and to branch out beyond the "give old wooden coasters new life" model that made the company into what it is today. I hope Fred has a great and long retirement, and that maybe just maybe if he needs a part time job that he might return as Silverwood's construction manager...

As a side note, if this is true, I think its awesome that Stunt Pilot was Fred Grubb's last coaster he was involved in...which just so happens to be about 50 ft from the first coaster he ever built... Amazing how stuff like that comes full circle!

As for Alan Schilke...this one is a bit more of a rumor. Apparently he said in a recent interview something to the effect of "I'm tired of roller coasters" and indicated that he would like to retire or "do something else" soon. I don't know how true this is, but it would explain why ArieForce One is credited to Joe Draves. Anyone know more about this?

Well, we saw what Grub and Schilke could do together, and I am kinda excited for what Torr and Draves can do building on RMC's success! I wish them well!

[boldikus]

On 11/19/2021 at 11:53 AM, swfan1988 said:

I'm so happy to be wrong about that rumor! "I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR..."

[Hilltopper39]

I mean I have no idea if that's true, nor do I really care, but I have a feeling there are more than 2 people at RMC that have made them as successful as they have been over the last decade. They'll be fine. 

[grsupercity]

Joe Draves designs the coasters for Chance and S&S as well and they seem to be hits! 

[swfan1988]

12 hours ago, boldikus said:

On 11/19/2021 at 8:53 AM, swfan1988 said:

I'm so happy to be wrong about that rumor! "I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR, I will not spread unfounded rumors on TPR..."

Thank you for that wonderful reminder!

Although this one wasn't entirely unfounded...you know what, I learned my lesson, I'll go back into my coaster desert hibernation den now...

[jarmor]

15 hours ago, KeryHdez said:

Personally, I hope he pushes the company to introduce more models and to branch out beyond the "give old wooden coasters new life" model that made the company into what it is today. 

  Where have you been the last few years lol.  out of the last 10 of their opened coasters, half of them were ground up and of that half, only one has a wooden structure.  I think they are already doing exactly what you are saying you want them to start doing.

[swfan1988]

4 hours ago, jarmor said:

  Where have you been the last few years lol.  out of the last 10 of their opened coasters, half of them were ground up and of that half, only one has a wooden structure.  I think they are already doing exactly what you are saying you want them to start doing.

Well to his credit, I think he just copied and pasted from me so...

I've always wanted RMC to try and adapt the Raptor track to a suspended coaster model, something along the lines of the old Arrow ones. I think that would be cool, either as a family coaster, or as a full blown thrill coaster. Total pipe dream, but still fun to think about!

[Invertalon]

On 11/24/2021 at 8:32 AM, Hilltopper39 said:

I mean I have no idea if that's true, nor do I really care, but I have a feeling there are more than 2 people at RMC that have made them as successful as they have been over the last decade. They'll be fine. 

 

Yeah, this exactly... Hell, for one, I am excited to see some new talent behind what is RMC is doing if Schilke was driving most of the ride layouts. While I appreciate what he has done, I can't say I absolutely love Schilke's style with the repetitive barrel rollin', bucking-bull abrupt airtime, etc... So I look forward to some more dynamic, balanced rides coming out of RMC in the future.

 

[KBrylczyk]

On 11/26/2021 at 9:54 AM, Invertalon said:

I can't say I absolutely love Schilke's style with the repetitive barrel rollin', bucking-bull abrupt airtime, etc...

 

[ricklap77]

I know Fredd Grubb is retiring and has sold the company to Darren Torr.  I do not think Schilke has retired.