USA: COO Thomas Staggs Is Leaving the Company

Disney COO Thomas O. Staggs, who took over the position as Chief Operating Officer in February 2015 (cp. EAP news from February 6, 2015), will depart the company and step down from his position on May 6, as the company unexpectedly announced yesterday. Staggs (55) will remain employed with Disney through the end of the fiscal year, serving as adviser to the CEO. As „No. 2“ at the helm of the company, Staggs was being groomed to take over as Disney CEO when Bob Iger’s (65) contract ends in 2018.

„Tom has been a great friend and trusted colleague for more than 20 years,“ Iger said. „He’s made important contributions to this company, earning wide respect across the organization for his achievements and personal integrity. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, immensly grateful for the privilege of working with him, and confident that he will be enormously successful in whatever opportunity he chooses.“ (eap)