Leadership
We are led by the expert guidance of our team of officers and executives. They each bring with them a wealth of rich experience in their area, contributing to the overall success and growth of our company and our destinations worldwide.
MARK WOODBURY
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Mark Woodbury is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly Universal Parks & Resorts). He oversees all Universal parks and resorts worldwide, including Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and the recently opened Universal Beijing Resort. He also serves on the NBCU Executive Committee.
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Most recently, Mr. Woodbury served as Vice Chairman, Universal Parks & Resorts and President of Universal Creative – the group charged with planning, designing and creating all Universal attractions and destinations worldwide. In his role as Vice Chairman, Mr. Woodbury was also responsible for all strategic planning and design strategy for Universal Parks & Resorts.
Mr. Woodbury joined Universal Parks & Resorts more than 30 years ago, during the development of Universal Studios Florida – the company’s first expansion outside of Hollywood. He quickly became a key member of the leadership team and, as Chief Creative Officer, oversaw the expansion of Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort, a destination that included Universal Studios Florida, a second theme park called Universal’s Islands of Adventure, on-site hotels and an entertainment complex. He also oversaw the development of Universal Studios Japan, which quickly became the company’s most attended theme park destination.
In 2006, Mr. Woodbury was named President of Universal Creative and continued to lead the development of world-class attractions and destinations – while creating innovative partnerships with some of the world’s most compelling entertainment brands. His work has included entire lands, such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the globally popular themed and immersive land that is now at Universal theme parks in Orlando, Osaka, Hollywood and Beijing along with Super Nintendo World, which recently opened at Universal Studios Japan and will also be at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort.
Most recently, Mr. Woodbury oversaw the creative design and development of Universal Beijing Resort, including all attractions, its CityWalk entertainment complex and the first-ever Universal-themed hotel. Universal Beijing successfully opened in 2021 as Universal’s largest theme park destination at opening.
Mr. Woodbury’s continued championing of innovative design and inspired collaboration has been a driving force behind the success of Universal Parks & Resorts around the world. Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, he is an active member of the Universal Parks & Resorts Executive Inclusion Council, aimed at impactful, cross-divisional inclusion efforts.
Prior to joining Universal, Mr. Woodbury worked in private architectural practices and real estate development. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of New Mexico. He is a licensed Architect and an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
JOHN SPROULS
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Chief Executive Officer, Universal Orlando Resort
John Sprouls oversees Human Resources, Legal, Business Affairs, Global Merchandise, Risk Management, EHS, Information Technology, Real Estate, Corporate Communications, External Affairs and Community Relations for Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly Universal Parks & Resorts).
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Mr. Sprouls also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Universal Orlando Resort and previously served as President/CEO of Universal Holdings I and II, the entities that owned and controlled Universal Orlando from 2006 to 2011.
Mr. Sprouls joined Universal Orlando in 1996 as Vice President of Human Resources, after having spent 15 years in various senior roles for The Seagram Company, Ltd. He also spent several years as an attorney in private practice in New York and New Jersey.
He was appointed Senior Vice President – Administration for Universal Orlando in 1997. He has also served as Executive Vice President – Human Resources for the Universal Parks & Resorts Group, and Executive Vice President – HR, Legal and Business Affairs for the Group.
Mr. Sprouls is the Chairman of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Tourism and Travel Advisory Board, a member of the U.S. Travel Association CEO Roundtable, and a former member of USTA’s Board of Directors. Mr. Sprouls is President of the Universal Orlando Foundation and Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for City Year Orlando. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the University of Central Florida, and a former board member of the University of Central Florida Foundation, the Central Florida Coalition for the Homeless and the Orlando Repertory Theatre.
Mr. Sprouls holds both a bachelor’s degree in History and a Juris doctorate degree from Seton Hall University.
PAGE THOMPSON
President, New Ventures, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Page Thompson serves as President, New Ventures, at Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly Universal Parks & Resorts) where he oversees the development of new resorts, experiences, and joint ventures, and manages the relationship with Universal’s licensed parks worldwide. From 2013 to 2021 Mr. Thompson was the President and Chief Operating Officer – International, UPR, where he oversaw operations at Universal’s parks in Osaka, Japan and Beijing, China, which grand opened in September 2021.
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Before joining Golf Channel in 2007, Mr. Thompson was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video Services for Comcast Cable. He was responsible for the company’s video product and is credited with building Comcast’s industry leading video-on-demand service from conception to a platform that boasted more than 9,000 programs each month and more than 4 billion views during his tenure. While at Comcast, he also co-chaired the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing’s On Demand Consortium.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Thompson held several positions with General Cinema Theatres, where he ran marketing and communications and served as General Manager of all non-film, revenue-generating business for the company; and for the Pepsi-Cola Company, where he served in a variety of brand management positions. He also worked in account management for the New York advertising agency Benton & Bowles.
Mr. Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a graduate degree from Harvard Business School. He is married with two children.
ALICE NORSWORTHY
President, Global Marketing, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Alice Norsworthy is responsible for the oversight of groups Marketing and Sales division. In that capacity, Ms. Norsworthy oversees the development of capabilities and consumer and trade programs that build brand equity and demand around the world.
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Previously, Ms. Norsworthy served as Senior Vice President of Marketing for Royal Caribbean International. During her time there, Ms. Norsworthy led the development and implementation of marketing programs that grew the Royal Caribbean brand and launched the Freedom Class of cruise ships. She also held a variety of senior marketing and operation roles at Walt Disney World.
Ms. Norsworthy has been recognized by Advertising Age as one of America’s Top 50 marketers, “who broke through the clutter and delivered real impact (and ROI) for their brands.” She has also been named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Travel three times by Travel Agent Magazine. A graduate of the University of Florida, Norsworthy serves on the board of directors for the Universal Orlando Foundation as well as the National Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Advisory Board for the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute at the University of Florida and the Board of Directors for Brand USA.
KAREN IRWIN
President & COO of Universal Orlando Resort
Karen Irwin is President & Chief Operating Officer of Universal Orlando Resort.
She is responsible for oversight of Universal Orlando Resort, including the Universal Studios Florida theme park, the Islands of Adventure theme park, the Volcano Bay water theme park and the 30-acre CityWalk entertainment complex. She reports directly to Mark Woodbury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Parks & Resorts.
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Prior to her current role, Ms. Irwin served as president of Universal Studios Hollywood from November 2016 to December 2021. She also served as Executive Vice President of Global Merchandise and Partnership Development for Universal Parks & Resorts, leading a corporate-level team responsible for retail concept and product development, planning, compliance and licensed brand management, including the development and launch of retail programming for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. During that time, she was also responsible for Partnership Development, supporting NBCUniversal Corporate Sponsorships and other UPR global, strategic relationships.
Ms. Irwin began her career with Universal Orlando in 1990 as part of the opening team for Universal Studios Florida. She has served in several leadership and department-head capacities including: Director of Operations and Director of Support Services for Food and Beverage, Vice President of Merchandise Operations and Vice President of Revenue Operations. She transitioned to the Universal Parks & Resorts corporate division as Vice President of Partnership Development in 2004.
Ms. Irwin has served on the Executive Committee for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, Boards of Directors for the Rosen School of Hospitality at The University of Central Florida and Valencia Community College. She has also been President of the Universal Orlando Volunteer Board and Chair of the Universal Workplace Giving Campaign. She most recently served on Boards for Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission, Visit California and the Universal Studios Hollywood’s inhouse philanthropic Discover a Star Foundation.
A graduate of the University of Florida, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communications, Ms. Irwin also completed an Executive Development Program at the Wharton School of Business. Ms. Irwin and her husband reside in Orlando, FL and have four children.
TOM MEHRMANN
President, Chief Operating Officer
Universal Destinations & Experiences, Pacific Rim
Tom Mehrmann is the President, Chief Operating Officer, Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly Universal Parks & Resorts) Pacific Rim. In this role he oversees three Universal parks including Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and the recently-opened Universal Beijing Resort.
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Prior to his role at Universal Beijing Resort, Mr. Mehrmann was the Chief Executive of Ocean Park Corporation, Hong Kong’s marine life and animal theme park for 13 years. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, he led a redevelopment of the theme park that resulted in record-breaking attendance and annual revenue growth. Under his leadership, Ocean Park Hong Kong became Asia’s first ever recipient of the prestigious “Liseberg Applause Award” in 2012, one of the most significant recognitions within the global attraction industry.
Mr. Mehrmann’s theme park career began in 1977, when he joined Knott’s Berry Farm as a cleaner. Over the course of two decades, he took on various leadership roles, including leading the operations and opening of Knott’s Camp Snoopy in Minnesota’s Mall of America, and eventually becoming the Vice President of Park Operations and Entertainment at Knott’s Berry Farm.
Later in 1998, Mr. Mehrmann joined Six Flags Marine World as Vice President and General Manager, overseeing the redevelopment, rebranding and repositioning of the park outside of San Francisco. Subsequently, he became Vice President and General Manager of Warner Brothers Movie World in Madrid, Spain, when the park was acquired by Six Flags in 2000. Mr. Mehrmann was responsible for the design, construction and operation of the park, which opened in April 2002.
In addition to earning industry-wide recognition and success in the theme park industry, Mr. Mehrmann is committed to community development and promoting tourism. He is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).
Mr. Mehrmann graduated from California State University, Fullerton, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He also completed the Advanced Courses organized by IAAPA in Theme Park Management at Cornell University.
XIOMARA WILEY
Chief Diversity Officer
Universal Destinations & Experiences
Xiomara Wiley is the Chief Diversity Officer for Universal Destinations & Experiences (formerly Universal Parks & Resorts) and is tasked with driving the culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the company. Reporting to the CEO, she is a thought leader and advisor to the senior leadership team working to strengthen the company’s competitive position across key strategic initiatives including workforce planning, product development, and guest experience.
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Ms. Wiley holds a Masters of Management degree from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Princeton. She has four children and resides in Orlando, Florida with her husband. Ms. Wiley was named “2010 Advertising Working Mother of the Year” by Working Mother Magazine in the Trailblazer category, celebrating women who are paving the way for working mothers. She was also recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Executives in Marketing and Advertising” in 2011 and 2013 and one of the “Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2017.
VINCE KLASEUS
President, Universal Products & Experiences
Vince Klaseus is President of Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) leading the vision and expansion of NBCUniversal’s business in consumer products, games and digital platforms, as well as theme park products and retail experiences worldwide. Additionally, Klaseus is responsible for leading strategic and creative initiatives to build and grow NBCUniversal’s iconic portfolio of intellectual properties into robust consumer brands through strategic Brand Management.
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Under his leadership, UP&E elevates and extends the company’s characters and stories by bringing them to life every day through imaginative products, ranging from apparel, toys, home goods, and collectables, to video games, NFTs and more across our expansive and expanding retail experiences in our theme park locations, live-entertainment venues, e-commerce product platforms, and retailers around the world.
Prior to becoming president of UP&E, Klaseus served as president of Universal Brand Development where he rapidly expanded the consumer products business globally across all categories and opened subsidiary offices around the world including Europe, Latin America, China, and Japan. Under his leadership at UBD, Klaseus drove transformative change and growth across the division that led to increased market share and historic revenue success for franchises including Jurassic World, Minions, and breakout, pre-school hit Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Before joining Universal in 2014, Klaseus was the Chief Executive Officer of Cartwheel Kids, a company he co-founded. Prior to Cartwheel Kids, Klaseus worked for the Walt Disney Company for 12 years. During his last four years with the company, he served as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Disney’s Global Toy division. From 2004 to 2008, Klaseus was the Senior Vice President of Franchise Management. He also served as Vice President of Film Franchise Marketing beginning in 2000. Klaseus worked for various international consumer product companies early in his career, including Mattel which he joined in 1995.
Klaseus is currently a board member of Big Sunday, a charitable organization dedicated to connecting communities across Los Angeles through helping those in need. He also served as Co-Chair for the Family Equality Council’s Annual Impact Awards, an organization dedicated to changing attitudes and policies to ensure that all families are respected, loved, and celebrated.
Klaseus received his MBA from The American Graduate School of International Management and a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Minnesota.
