On Monday, April 28, Andrew Wexler, CEO of , spoke to aspiring theme park leaders at Rosen College as a guest of The Future Theme Park Leaders Association. The room was filled with a variety of students pursuing careers in theme parks, computer science, engineering and business, hailing from as far as Dubai. With the recent launch of Rosen College鈥檚 , Wexler鈥檚 words provided timely, valuable insight on executive level leadership in the entertainment industry.
Wexler was appointed CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment in March 2015. Prior to this, he was the company鈥檚 chief financial officer for eight years. He told the audience that as CFO of the company, he jokingly referred to himself as 鈥淭he CF-No鈥� because while outstanding guest and employee experiences are vital, the company must also be financially secure. As CEO, his role has dramatically changed and he now refers to himself as the 鈥淐hief Encouraging Officer.鈥�
鈥淚 truly believe the more opportunities we give people to respect and love each other, the happier this world will be,鈥� said Wexler.
While reflecting on his career path, Wexler emphasized three pieces of advice for young professionals:
1. Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. You don鈥檛 have to be CEO by 24.
2. Integrity cannot be taken, only lost. There鈥檚 only one person in the world who can take your integrity and that鈥檚 you.
3. Focus on your purpose, your why. Great leaders have one thing in common; they don鈥檛 focus on what they鈥檙e doing, but why they鈥檙e doing it. Once you know why you鈥檙e doing what you do, it gives it purpose.
For more information about FTPLA and how to get involved, please like .