When Paul Norton was 10, 11 and 12 years old, he didn’t mind the duties he and his brothers were assigned for the family business: Go on family trips to amusement parks around the country and ride the rides, all in the name of research. Their dad, Gary Norton, was in the process of designing and developing Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho, where Paul is now general manager. “He liked to watch us, see how we reacted to the ride,” the younger Norton recalled, including rides at places like Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm. “It was awesome – I know it was the best gig.” Norton, now 38, feels similarly about his current job running the North Idaho amusement park, a family-run venture filled with roller coasters, a water park and thrill rides that attracts 650,000 visitors each year. Now, he’s been named chairman of the Idaho Travel Council, the governor-appointed council that helps oversee Idaho’s state tourism promotion efforts/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.