Disney announced a handful of new appointments for executive team at its Experiences segment including a newly created role to oversee major events integration, and new heads for Disneyland Resort, Disney Signature Experiences and Shanghai Disney Resort.
The announcement comes as Disney Experiences, led by chairman Josh D’Amaro, has embarked on ambitious expansion plans and significant investment for its cruise line business and at theme parks around the world.
Disneyland Resort head Ken Potrock, a 30-year company veteran, will take on the newly created role of President, The Walt Disney Company Major Events Integration. He will be responsible for developing comprehensive, cross-company plans to maximize the value of large-scale sports, entertainment and tourism events ranging from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics to the 250th Anniversary of the nation.
Potrock assumed leadership at Disneyland in 2020 and led the successful post-pandemic reopening, and recently secured the approval of DisneylandForward, which unlocks opportunities for expansion and investment in Anaheim for the next 40 years. He also oversaw the opening of Avengers Campus, the reimagining of Pixar Place Hotel, the expansion of the Downtown Disney District, and the continued expansion of Disney California Adventure.
He will continue to report to D’Amaro, with accountability to ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
Stepping into the top Disneyland role is Thomas Mazloum, who moves from Disney Signature Experiences. He will lead more than 36,000 park employees and oversee the operation of two theme parks, three resort hotels, and the Downtown Disney District. He will guide Disneyland Resort through a new era of growth.
Mazloum will continue to report to D’Amaro.
Joe Schott moves to fill the role of president of Disney Signature Experiences from his post as president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort. Schott previously led Disneyland Paris and was executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan at Tokyo Disney Resort. He will now report directly to D’Amaro.
Andrew Bolstein has promoted to the president & general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort, where he was part of the opening leadership team as the park took shape. He will report to Jill Estorino, President and Managing Director of Disney Parks International.
“We have a deep bench of globally minded business leaders who bring the versatility needed to step into key roles across our diverse portfolio,” said D’Amaro. “These tenured leaders have extensive technical and operational expertise with strong insight and understanding of the guest experience, and possess qualities that promote innovation, creativity, and results.”
