KGUN 9NewsLocal News

Actions

Old Tucson hires local businesswoman as general manager

Posted
Old Tucson Studios

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Old Tucson Studios is gearing up to reopen for Nightfall in October. Now, the Wild West theme park has a new general manager.

American Heritage Railways, the new lease holder of Old Tucson, named local businesswoman Kristen "Kiki" Keefner as general manager on Friday.

New Old Tucson GM Kiki Keefn
New Old Tucson GM, Kristine “Kiki” Keefner. Kiki was born into a railroad family in a small town on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota, she spent much of her adolescence at her family’s cabin fishing and boating on the lakes of Minnesota. She visited Tucson in 1984 while on vacation with her family and had her first visit to Old Tucson. With a deep connection to western history and culture, her parents were drawn to the southwest and moved to Tucson a year later and all remain residents today.

She has an extensive background in the hospitality industry in Tucson.

“It was particularly important for us to find a general manager that knows the community and has a rich history in the food and beverage industry, events, and human resources," said Vice President and General Manager of American Heritage Railways, John Harper, in a news release.

Work continues on making upgrades to Old Tucson ahead of the reopening for Nightfall.

VIDEO: The future of Old Tucson will showcase the past

Old Tucson Returns

——-
Pat Parris is an anchor and reporter for KGUN 9. He is a graduate of Sabino High School where he was the 1982 high school state track champion in the 800 meters. While in high school and college, he worked part-time in the KGUN 9 newsroom. Share your story ideas and important issues with Pat by emailing pat.parris@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.