The best GMs of parks/park managers are out in the parks as much as possible IMO, talking to guests and employees and really getting a sense of what they are thinking and feeling about the experience. They should also have that front line experience and understand the business from the bottom up.
With Reilly as CEO and Jim Dean running SWO, I think they are in really good hands as both leaders have done well with the Busch Gardens parks and know the business on all levels.