During its 2024 annual membership meeting in Las Vegas, US, the Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) paid tribute to past president Don Hesch, who passed away in January.
The AMOA said Hesch was pivotal to it overcoming serious and unprecedented challenges in the late 1990s. Former AMOA executive vice president Jack Kelleher was invited to the meeting to deliver a tribute to him. Kelleher was hired by Hesch and Jim Stansfield to help address and overcome challenges faced by the organisation.
Kelleher said: “Don made such a profound and long-lasting impact - not only on his now 76-year-old trade association and countless individuals in the industry - but his family, of course, his legion of friends and me.”
AMOA president Luke Adams, presiding over the association’s annual meeting, added: “Had it not been for Don Hesch and Jim Stansfield, AMOA may not be standing here today serving as a relevant and primary voice of this great industry.
"We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the late Mr Hesch and Mr Stansfield who stood for us when we were at our weakest. They are perfect examples of what it means to be operators as well as respected leaders of the AMOA.”
The AMOA recognised Hesch's significant contributions with resounding applause.
