George Rouman, President of the family-owned century-old movie theatre circuit Rouman Amusement Company, died on 9 June 2024 in a car accident in Skanawan, Wisconsin. He was 51-years-old.

Rouman, whose cinema chain owns and operates ten screens in two locations in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, was a well respected leader in the North American cinema industry, serving on the Advisory Board of the National Association of Theater Owners for over 20 years. He was on the Board of Directors for the regional association, NATO of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, since 2002, becoming the organization’s President in 2016.

For nearly two decades, Rouman served as Co-Chairman for the Lake Geneva Convention, a regional movie theatre conference which provides educational seminars, panel discussions, movie screenings, and networking opportunities for other independent cinema owners.

During the early days of COVID-19, Rouman organized video calls with members of NATO of Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, to discuss ideas and ways to get through the pandemic. He was the first regional leader to convince Wisconsin lawmakers that movie theaters were the heart of many small towns across state and would ultimately need financial assistance to stay afloat. The grant program he initiated was modeled across the country.

In addition to leading the Rouman Amusement Company, which operates several movie theaters across northern Wisconsin, Rouman was a prominent entrepreneur and community leader in Rhinelander. He owned the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe, a popular local candy store. Rouman’s untimely passing has left the tight-knit Rhinelander community in mourning for one of its most beloved and influential figures.