Josh D’Amaro
President
Disneyland Resort
Anaheim
Born in Santa Monica
Age: 48
Lives in South Orange County
WHY: Leads OC’s global tourism driver and largest employer with more than 31,000 workers at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, three hotels, Downtown Disney shopping, dining, entertainment center.
HOW: Disney Co. veteran, 21 years, across sales, marketing, operations, and finance in entertainment firm’s parks and consumer products divisions, including stints as senior vice president commercial strategy, VP Disney’s Animal Kingdom, VP Adventures by Disney, chief financial officer for consumer products. Five years in finance with Gillette Co.
RECENT: Star Wars: Galaxy Edge weeks away from opening. The $1 billion investment created about 1,600 new operations jobs. Biggest single-themed land expansion ever for Disneyland. 14 acres. Plans for fourth hotel scrapped after dispute with city. Next up: New super hero-themed land in Disney California Adventure, opening next year. A new ride is planned in Toontown, opens 2022.
FAST FACT: Disneyland contributed $21 million to local nonprofits, community efforts in 2018.
QUOTABLE: “The secret to Disney magic has always been our cast members.”
PERSONAL: Graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University, bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. Enjoys playing basketball, snowboarding, traveling and spending time with family. Married, two teenaged children.
