Universal Parks & Resorts announced today that Vice Chairman Mark Woodbury, who is also currently President of Universal Creative, will become the division’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer upon the retirement of current Chairman and CEO Tom Williams.

Thirty-three year Universal Parks veteran Williams will retire effective March 16, 2022. Woodbury, who himself has more than three decades with the NBCU Parks unit, will step into the CEO role effective January 1, 2022. He will report directly to Jeff Shell, Chief Executive Officer, of NBCUniversal, as Williams now does.

“Mark has unique and essential insight into everything that makes Universal Parks & Resorts successful,” said Shell in a statement. “Beyond his ability to create incredibly innovative guest experiences, he has tremendous experience with strategy, financials, stewardship of the Universal Parks brand and so much more. He has also been a key part of planning for the future of Universal Parks & Resorts. All this makes him perfect for this role.