The US trade association AMOA has selected Charles 'Chuck' Peitz, founder and president of Tricorp Amusements in the US, as its Man of the Year.

Peitz will be honoured at the association’s annual gala and dinner reception on March 14, 2011, which is being held at the Douglaston Manor in Queens, New York, and which is expected to be attended by around 150 operators, distributors, manufacturers and related service providers.

Peitz started Tricorp in 1979 and grew the company into one of the largest operators in the US covering around 20 states between Maine and Florida and east of the Mississipi. The company employs 70 people - supplying cinemas, restaurants, FECs and shopping malls with amusements.

Ken Goldberg of Emerson Amusement and president of AMOA-NY, commented: "Peitz is an ‘operator’s operator’ who is an inspiring role model for many of us. Beyond the growth of Tricorp he regards membership and active support in AMOA as his priority and openly declares how his participation in our association goes hand in hand with his success."

Danny Frank, executive director of AMOA-NY, added: "This is the first time this event has honoured an operator. So it demonstrates Chuck’s popularity and reputation."