USA: SeaWorld Entertainment Announces Leadership Promotions and Organizational Changes
© SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
The U.S. operator group SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. has again announced personnel changes at the management level as part of an organizational restructuring – eight positions have been newly created or are taken over by leaders from within the organization. Among the newly created positions is the role of Chief Transformation Officer, which was assigned to Chelle Adams. Last year, Adams has been responsible for the group’s finances as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; prior to that, she worked in process improvement at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Her previous role as CFO and Treasurer is being assumed by Jim Forrester on an interim basis, who most recently served as VP of Finance for the group’s Orlando parks.
Two seasonal park executives now fill co-positions as Chief Parks Operations Officers (CPOO) and are responsible for managing park operations in their respective regions: Kyle Miller has been named CPOO of the group’s Florida parks, and Byron Surrett is CPOO of all non-Florida SeaWorld parks. Three other company leaders are also taking on new positions: Jon “JP” Peterson has been named Park President of SeaWorld Orlando. The new Park President for the Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove venues is Bradley Gilmour; Jodi Davenport takes over as Park President for SeaWorld San Antonio and Aquatica San Antonio. A final recent change involves the position of Chief Accounting Officer, which is now held by Shekufeh Boyle – she previously served as Corporate Controller and VP of Accounting for the SeaWorld group. All personnel changes are effective immediately.
Marc Swanson, CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, states: “I am excited to announce these important leadership promotions and organizational changes that will help us better execute our plans and initiatives, capitalize on opportunities, and deliver improved operational and financial results. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the past several years, including coming out of the pandemic an even stronger and more profitable business with industry leading results. And I am excited for our plans for 2023 with a terrific line-up of new rides, attractions, events and new and improved in park venues and offerings. […].“
Among the new attractions opening this year in the group’s associated parks are the “Pipeline” Surf Coaster (B&M) at SeaWorld Orlando, the “Arctic Rescue” Family Launch Coaster (Intamin) at SeaWorld San Diego and “Catapult Falls” (Launched Flume Coaster, Intamin) at SeaWorld San Antonio. Find out what new attractions and offerings Europe’s theme parks will have in store for their visitors in the upcoming season in our Park Report, which will be published in EAP issue 2/2023 (March/April). (eap)
