SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Announces Leadership Changes
For its parks in Florida, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment recently announced several leadership changes: Jim Dean, President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, today takes over the position as Park President of Orlando’s SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove, succeeding Donnie Mills, who retires from his current position after 42 years in the industry.
“Jim is an outstanding theme park leader who has led excellence, performance and growth in Tampa. I am pleased to now have him at the helm of our flagship operations in Orlando,” said Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Jim Dean, who holds an engineering degree from Memphis State University and an MBA from St. Louis University, started his career as a financial analyst in the corporate headquarters of Anheuser-Busch (A-B) brewery in St. Louis. In 1990, he transferred to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as finance manager and in 1993 to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. as Finance Vice President. He accepted the Head of Finance position for A-B’s European trade office in London in 2000 before returning to the U.S. five years later. He moved back to Florida’s Busch Gardens in 2008 as Head of Corporate Finance before accepting the position of Park President for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island in 2010.
Stewart Clark, Vice President of Discovery Cove park, will take the responsibility as President for both Tampa parks. “The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay parks will gain a proven and innovative leader, as Stewart’s operations and zoological expertise has contributed to more than a decade of acclaimed guest experience at Discovery Cove,” continued Manby. Stewart Clark started his career with SeaWorld in 1983 and brings more than 30 years of zoological and theme park leadership experience.
Also, SeaWorld Entertainment welcomes Denise Godreau as new Chief Marketing Officer. Denise has extensive experience in digital marketing, global brand strategy, technology and revenue generation. She served as a senior executive at Disney Parks for more than a decade. (eap)
