At Falcon’s Attractions, we often say our greatest strength is our people, and Ron is one of the best examples of that truth. With a background in commercial diving and over 15 years at OES before it was acquired by Falcon’s, Ron brings a calm, no-nonsense approach to even the most complex installs. He’s not just someone who gets the job done; he’s someone others trust to lead, to troubleshoot, and to raise the bar. His story reflects the kind of quiet dedication, deep expertise, and sharp instinct that define Falcon’s on the ground, where ideas turn into reality.
In his own words, here’s how a life spent underwater prepared him for a career building some of the world’s most complex, groundbreaking attractions.
A Life Below the Surface
“Long before I ever laid hands on a ride system, I was 700 feet underwater, living in a pressurized chamber for weeks at a time. That was my world for more than two decades—commercial diving in this beautiful planet’s oceans, doing underwater welding, salvage, and heavy construction. It was dangerous work, high-stakes, and not for the faint of heart.
Saturation diving means you’re living in a chamber on a barge for up to 28 days. You’re lowered to the seafloor in a bell, work a 12-hour shift, come back up to eat and sleep, and then you repeat. The helium in the breathing mix makes your voice sound like a cartoon character, and the pressure is constant—literally and figuratively.
But in that extreme environment, I learned the core things that still drive my work today: teamwork, safety, precision, and staying cool under pressure.”
From Offshore to Themed Entertainment
“Eventually, I transitioned to full-time work with Oceaneering and then years later to their Entertainment Systems (OES) division, so I moved from deep-sea diving to themed attraction installation. On paper, they seem like completely different careers. But in practice? The skill sets overlap more than you’d think.
Both environments are highly technical. Both require tight coordination between teams. And both demand you do things right the first time—because mistakes aren’t just expensive; they’re dangerous.
Instead of operating hundreds of feet below the ocean, I now supervise crews installing motion bases, theater platforms, ride systems, and more. The scale is still massive. The stakes are still high. Only now, I help build immersive experiences for guests around the world.”
Finding My Place at Falcon’s
“Today, I work with Falcon’s Attractions as a field services supervisor, and I’ve been fortunate to contribute to a wide range of cutting-edge projects. I help manage crews on the ground, make sure systems are installed safely and precisely, and ensure everything functions the way it’s meant to, before the first guest walks through the door.
The themed entertainment industry moves fast. Timelines shift, conditions change, but I’m used to adapting. If the plan changes on the fly, that’s just another Tuesday. Whether I’m managing a crew in the field or collaborating with engineers and creatives, I bring the same mindset I did offshore: stay focused, work smart, and look out for your team. It’s been incredible to see everything we can do now that we’re part of Falcon’s. It’s super exciting to work with creatives to fully turnkey attractions all in-house.”
Same Values, New Setting
“After all these years, I’ve come to realize that the environment may change, but the principles don’t. Whether you’re 700 feet underwater or installing a themed attraction, success comes down to discipline, problem-solving, and trust in your crew.
And I’ve been lucky. I’ve worked with some of the best teams out there, doing work that not only pushes the limits of what’s possible, but brings joy to people around the world.
If I can leave you with one thing, it’s this: The path into themed entertainment isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, it takes you to the bottom of the ocean before you rise up into something completely new.”
Author
Ronald L. Dickson
Field Services Supervisor
