Sugar bear sees sweet theme in parks

John Odum-led Six Flags is unfazed by growing competition, to continue to expand in China and overseas

When John Odum, president of Six Flags International Development Company, joined the theme park operator as a costumed character, he was 16.

Ever since, the magic of the theme park business has worked like, well, magic - it has been his lifelong career. What's more, the sugar bear character he dressed up as led him to meet his would-be wife, who was then working as a ticket collector at the entry gates of the theme mark.