The Walt Disney Company Names Tom Staggs Chief Operating Officer

The Walt Disney Company has named Tom Staggs the Chief Operating Officer. Staggs was the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and will continue to lead the Parks and Resorts division while also working in his new role. A successor is expected to be named to take over the Parks and Resorts division at a later date.


Tom Staggs promoted at The Walt Disney Company


Staggs has been with The Walt Disney Company since 1990 when he joined the company as the Manager of Strategic Planning. He served as the Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the company and played a role in the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios and Marvel Entertainment.

"Tom is an incredibly experienced, talented and versatile executive who has led Parks and Resorts during a time of unprecedented growth and expansion, including the construction of Shanghai Disney Resort," said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a press release. "His proven ability to lead a business as well as his successful tenure as Disney's former CFO make him an ideal Chief Operating Officer, expanding his portfolio into all the company's businesses."

In his role as Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Staggs led the global team that included more than 130,000 cast members, crew members, and Imagineers. He oversaw the development of Shanghai Disney Resort and the new Avatar-themed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Many see this announcement as positioning Staggs to take over for Bob Iger when Iger's contract expires in 2018.

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