Leading Executives in Amusement Parks, Theme Parks, Arcades
Josh D’Amaro
Chairman, Disney Experiences (The Walt Disney Company)
Chairman leading Disney’s global parks, cruise, consumer products and Imagineering portfolio; stewarding a multi‑year, ~$60B expansion program across experiences worldwide.
Jeff Vahle
President, Walt Disney World Resort
Long‑time Disney operator overseeing America’s largest single‑site workplace (≈80,000 Cast) and multi‑park resort in Central Florida.
Thomas Mazloum
President, Disneyland Resort
Newly appointed in Jan. 2025 to lead Disneyland’s 36,000+ Cast and guide the DisneylandForward era of expansion in Anaheim.
Mark Woodbury
Chairman & CEO, Universal Destinations & Experiences (Comcast NBCUniversal)
UD&E’s creative force behind The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and the 2025 opening of Universal Epic Universe in Orlando.
Fiona Eastwood
Chief Executive Officer, Merlin Entertainments
Became CEO (confirmed permanent in Feb. 2025) of the world’s #2 attractions operator (LEGOLAND, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE), driving a one‑Merlin transformation.
Marc Swanson
Chief Executive Officer, United Parks & Resorts (SeaWorld/Busch Gardens)
CEO who rebranded SeaWorld Entertainment to United Parks & Resorts in Feb. 2024 and continues expansion of parks and cruise/experiences strategy.
Richard A. Zimmerman
President & CEO (through transition in 2025), Six Flags Entertainment Company (post Cedar Fair merger)
Veteran regional parks leader serving as CEO of the combined company; announced Aug. 6, 2025 he’ll step down by year‑end as the board conducts a search.
Selim A. Bassoul
Executive Chairman, Six Flags Entertainment Company
Executive Chairman steering strategy and integration following the 2024 merger of equals between legacy Six Flags and Cedar Fair.
Andrew Wexler
Chief Executive Officer, Herschend Enterprises
CEO of the largest family‑owned themed attractions company (Dollywood, Silver Dollar City); led the 2025 acquisition of Palace Entertainment’s U.S. parks.
Pascal Ferracci
Chief Executive Officer, Parques Reunidos
CEO leading one of Europe’s largest leisure park groups; in 2025 refocused the company on Europe by divesting U.S. subsidiary Palace Entertainment.
Yumiko Takano
Representative Director, Chairperson & CEO, Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Disney Resort owner)
Chairperson & CEO guiding OLC’s long‑term growth, including Fantasy Springs (2024) and a new Disney‑branded cruise business targeted for late‑decade launch.
John K. Lawn Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (Hersheypark)
Long‑time Hersheypark operator elevated to lead the Hershey attractions and resorts portfolio across central Pennsylvania.
John “Murph” Murphy
Chief Executive Officer, Great Wolf Resorts (Great Wolf Lodge)
Hospitality veteran leading North America’s largest indoor waterpark resort brand through rapid new‑resort development.
Tarun Lal
Chief Executive Officer, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.
Joined as CEO in July 2025 to accelerate the turnaround and international growth of the Dave & Buster’s/Main Event arcade‑entertainment platform.
Thomas F. Shannon
Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Lucky Strike Entertainment (formerly Bowlero Corp.)
Founder‑CEO who built the world’s largest bowling/arcade operator (incl. PBA) and rebranded to Lucky Strike Entertainment in Dec. 2024 to broaden LBE reach.
Antonio Zamperla Jr.
Chief Executive Officer, Zamperla (Antonio Zamperla S.p.A.)
Third‑generation leader of the iconic Italian ride manufacturer behind attractions worldwide, including major roller coasters and family rides.
Rolf Paegert
Chief Executive Officer, Sally Dark Rides
Dark‑ride specialist CEO (since 2023) advancing next‑gen interactive attractions for parks and FECs globally.
Ernest Yale
Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer, TRIOTECH
Founder‑CEO who scaled TRIOTECH into a leader in media‑based interactive attractions (XD Dark Ride, Typhoon) deployed in 70+ countries.
Eugene Jarvis
President & Founder, Raw Thrills / Play Mechanix
Arcade legend and Cruis’n creator steering one of the most prolific coin‑op studios, from blockbuster racers to licensed shooters and new VR formats.
John Arie Jr.
Owner & Chief Executive Officer, Fun Spot America Theme Parks
Second‑generation owner‑CEO expanding the family‑owned U.S. parks known for patented multi‑level go‑kart tracks and value‑priced thrills.
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