Special Olympics SoCal Honors CEO On Santa Monica Pier

SANTA MONICA, CA – Special Olympics Southern California honored Mary Ann Powell, Chief Executive Officer at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, during the 21st Annual Pier Del Sol fundraising event at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

Powell has spent more than 20 years elevating Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier to new heights, according to a Santa Monica Pier press release. As the CEO and owner of Santa Monica Amusements, Powell understands and respects Pacific Park’s important role within the community, and as such aligned with Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) in 1997 with the launch of Pier del Sol, the press release said.

In 2008, she led an eBay auction of Pacific Park’s original Ferris wheel, netting $65,000 for SOSC; in 2012, she joined Southern California Law Enforcement to raise awareness and funds for SOSC while setting a new “Guinness World Records” title on Pacific Park’s famous Ferris wheel.

In addition to SOSC, where Powell has been a Board of Director since 2010, she has worked with a number of local Santa Monica organizations including the Convention and Visitors Bureau, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, History Museum, Police Activities League and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Pier del Sol is an exciting and unique day of fun on the historic Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park where attendees can enjoy a VIP brunch featuring food from over 30 of L.A.’s top chefs and restaurants, along with entertainment, music, arts and crafts, games, and unlimited rides at Pacific Park, the press release said. This year’s theme was "Oktoberfest," which featured a beach top VIP Beer and Wine Garden.

All proceeds from the annual Pier Del Sol event benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Southern California.

First Photo by Misti Kerns for Pacific Park shows Mary Ann Powell, Chief Executive Officer at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, ESOSC Pier Del Sol Event Honoree; Second photo by Donna Gentry for Pacific Park shows, pictured from left to right: Rebecca Nerney, SOSC Athlete; Mary Ann Powell, Chief Executive Officer at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, ESOSC Pier Del Sol Event Honoree; and Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California.