Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. announced an executive shake-up that will have SeaWorld San Diego’s president promoted to oversee all of the company’s parks.
SeaWorld San Diego Park President John Reilly will serve as chief parks operations officer, effective April 1, replacing Daniel B. Brown. Marilyn Hannes, vice president of global sales, will replace Reilly and also serve as president of Aquatica San Diego.
SeaWorld is also replacing the president of SeaWorld San Antonio, who is leaving the company, and promoting a new chief zoological officer from within. The company further announced it was forming a division to focus on resort development.
The announcement comes a few days after SeaWorld San Diego said it would develop a new ride to would simulate collecting animal data aboard a submarine.
SeaWorld has dealt with sluggish traffic after the 2013 documentary “Blackfish” accused it of mistreating its killer whales. SeaWorld San Diego is currently fighting a California Coastal Commission decision that would force it to stop breeding its orcas in order to expand its killer whale habitat.
