Thomas Staggs, a 25-year Disney veteran who has been leading the parks and resorts division, is stepping into the role of chief operating officer at The Walt Disney Company, reporting directly to Robert Iger. His elevation is also seen as a succession plan for future CEO job.
Staggs takes on the post with immediate effect. He will also continue to lead parks and resorts until a successor is named. The Disney senior management team will report jointly to Staggs and Iger, the chairman and CEO. The chief financial officer, general counsel, chief communications officer and chief human resources officer, however, will continue to report directly to Iger.
Iger commented: “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. 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 said: “It’s a privilege to step into this role, and I am humbled and honored by the opportunity. I look forward to working more closely with Bob and the talented senior management team across the company to continue to build Disney’s future through unparalleled creativity, innovative technology and global expansion.”
“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. 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 joined Disney in 1990 as manager of strategic planning. He served as senior executive VP and chief financial officer of The Walt Disney Company, and has led the parks and resorts global team since 2010.
More importantly, Market also speculates that the entertainment giant finally has a semi-official heir apparent to the CEO job as the current chief executive, Bob Iger, is set to retire from Disney in three years.
