Disney begins leadership shuffle

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Apr 25, 2014 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

Walt Disney World is doing one of their trademark "leadership shuffles." Tom Fitzgerald, an Imagineer who worked on Horizons, the updated Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Disneyland Paris' Ratatouille attraction, will take over the creative direction of Epcot. Word is that a huge re-Imagineering of Epcot is going to take place and the original concept of the park will be reinstated.

Erin Youngs, Vice President of Epcot, will move to Vice President, Construction, Horticulture, Textile Services, and Distribution Services. Currently in that role is Greg Ruse, who will be retiring. Sam Lau, currently Vice President of Walt Disney Transportation, will take over for Youngs as VP of Epcot. Lau will report to Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Next Generation Experience. Jason Kirk, a director in Planning & Industrial Engineering, will take over as Vice President of Transportation Operations. Kirk will report to Tom Wolber, Senior Vice President Resort Operations & Transportation Operations.

A move that guests will be particularly interested in is the assignment of Imagineer Scot Trowbridge to Star Wars Studio, a dedicated project studio for the Star Wars franchise. No new Star Wars theme park attractions have been announced. Trowbridge will also become portfolio leader at Disneyland. He previously worked on the design team at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.