Hightower chosen as Universal Creative president

Michael Hightower, the senior vice president, executive project director of Universal Parks and Resorts, will take over as the president of Universal Creative next year after Mark Woodbury’s promotion to chair and CEO of the parks division.

Hightower’s first day as president will be Jan. 1, the company said in a release. He will be in charge of the design and creation of Universal’s rides at the company’s international parks.

Woodbury’s promotion, announced Wednesday, comes as Tom Williams, current chair and CEO of Universal Parks and Resorts, retires next year after more than 50 years with the company. Williams will step down from his positions Jan. 1 but won’t retire until March 16.

Woodbury also currently serves as vicechair of Universal’s parks division. The company has not named his successor to that position.

Hightower has worked with Universal Creative for 26 years and contributed to the creation of several lands and parks, including Islands of Adventure and the Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley areas of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando and Universal’s international parks in Japan and Singapore.

Recently, he worked on the creative development and construction of Universal Studios Beijing and helped open the resort in September.

“Mike’s experience and vision bringing the Universal Brand to life makes him the perfect choice to lead Universal Creative into the future on behalf of our business,” Woodbury said in a statement. “His leadership of our creative team will continue to build on our legacy of creating thrillingly immersive experiences for our guests around the world.”