Disney’s Theme Park Division Has Lost Several Top Executives in Recent Weeks
The exit door at the Walt Disney Company's theme park division has been busy lately. In the past few weeks at least five executives have left, either due to new jobs or layoffs.
These former Disney executives have more than 70 years of combined experience with Disney Parks and Resorts.
Two of the executives have gone over to work for NBC/Universal, including Cameron Davies a former senior director of management science and integration. She is now working as the senior vice president of analytics for NBC News. The other is Steve Eisenhardt, the vice president of labor relations who took a job to lead labor relations for all of NBC/Universal's businesses.
One of the highest profile departures is that of Brian Britton, the vice president of global park operations and planning for Disney's parks business. Britton was hired by Levy Restaurants - the owner of Fulton's Crab House, Portobello, and Wolfgang Puck's Grand Cafe at Disney World - to be that company's executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Britton will be relocating to Chicago where he will head up the 82 venues run exclusively or partially by Levy, including Wrigley Field, the United Center, and luxury suites at U.S. Cellular Field.
Britton is a former U.S. Navy flight officer and has an MBA from Harvard. He was part of a group of professionals selected by President Barack Obama earlier this year to serve on a commission to improve the voter experience on Election Day.
Last month Disney eliminated two executive positions, laying off vice president of consumer insight Lori Georganna, and Victoria Schooley-Simon who was a director of consumer insight. The company also let go one California based executive in the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online division.
About WDW For Grownups
We're a website dedicated to adults who visit Disney World because they love it, not just because their kids love it. Join in the discussion on our forums or find us here:
Tracie wrote on Sat, 11/16/2013 - 22:26:
I hope this doesn't interfere with service or quality. Taking our 10 trip back this year. :0)
Larry Wright wrote on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 01:53:
Well, none of these execs hqve to worry like the other 90 million unemployed Americans in this sorry exonomy.
Linda Hocking wrote on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 23:00:
I am sorry to see experienced people leave Disney! I feel the company is losing what Walt Disney wanted for this company! Family entertainment, and for al families. Disney has become too expensive for most. You need to live in Florida, or be ill for Make a wish foundation, or save for a few years. Son it will only be for the wealthy,and those of us who have supported the company for over 40 years will not be able to enjoy it anymore. Disney is for the young at heart also!
Post new comment