TOM WILLIAMS

CHAIRMAN & CEO, UNIVERSAL PARKS & RESORTS, ORLANDO

As chairman and CEO, Williams oversees Universal parks and resorts worldwide, including Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan, all of which are currently expanding. In addition, he serves on the NBCUniversal executive committee. Currently, Williams is overseeing the development of Universal Beijing, which will be jointly owned by Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment, a consortium of four state-owned companies, and Universal Parks & Resorts. He is also leading the development of Universal Orlando’s third theme park, Epic Universe.

Williams began his career with Universal Parks & Resorts and led the design and development of all aspects for Universal Orlando, which opened in 1990. As CEO of Universal Orlando, he led the creation and development of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter-Diagon Alley. Williams has been inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Hall of Fame. He is a founding trustee of World Class Schools (Florida) and United Arts of Central Florida. He is also on the advisory board for Give Kids the World.