The Walt Disney Company has named Thomas Staggs as its Chief Operating Officer in a move that some see as positioning him to replace Bob Iger in 2018.
Staggs is the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts where he oversees the strategy, operations, and creative development of the parks.
He will continue to lead the Parks and Resorts division as he assumes the role of COO immediately. A successor will likely be named soon to lead the Parks and Resorts division.
All of the senior management team will report to Iger and Staggs, except for the Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Chief Communications Officers, and Chief Human Resources Officer, all of whom report directly to Bob Iger.
“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 Iger. “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.”
Staggs has lead the Parks and Resorts team since 2010 – a team that includes more than 130,000 cast members, crew members, and Imagineers. He has overseen the development of Shanghai Disney Resort and the Avatar-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
And during his tenure Disney has opened Aulani, added three lands at Hong Kong Disneyland, built the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, and completed the expansion at Disney California Adventure.
Staggs joined Disney in 1990 as Manager of Strategic Planning.
