Serving the themed entertainment community

Latest News

  • Extreme Engineering completes Cloud Coaster at Quest, Doha Oasis
  • Former Walt Disney Imagineering executive Ian MacVittie joins Technifex
  • WonderWorks Pigeon Forge introduces new STEM exhibit explaining Earth’s spheres
  • Registration now open for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2021, FREE registration for IPM readers
  • Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search firm for Executive Director position
  • Seven Seas Food Festival returns to SeaWorld San Diego
  • Wärtsilä divests its entertainment division
  • San Diego Zoo Global evolves into San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
  • Home
  • Opportunity Hub
    • Leads & Opportunities
    • Webinar Calendar
    • Submit a Webinar
  • Explore
    • Features
    • News
    • COVID-19
  • Issues
    • 2020
      • #85 – Looking forward to the future
      • #84 – Everything the industry has to offer
      • #83 – Waterparks and more!
      • #82 – Solving Problems with Innovation
      • #81 COVID-19 and beyond
      • IPM guide to AV 2020
    • 2019
      • #80 – IAAPA 2019
      • #79.5 – IAAPA Expo 2019 Preview
      • #79 Europe and Waterparks
      • #78 – Asia/Tech
      • #77 – The Best in Themed Entertainment
    • 2018
      • #76 – Year End/Trade Show Round-up
      • #75 – IAAPA 2018
      • #74 – EME/Waterparks
      • #73 – Asia and Technology
      • #72 – Dubai/Museums
      • #71 – MENA/Entertainment
    • 2017
      • #70 – IAAPA 2017
      • #69 – Game Changers
      • #68 Going Global: Technology on the International Stage
      • #67 – Experience Design: Many Faces Many Places
      • #66 Theatrical Influence and Convergence
    • 2016
      • #65 IAAPA 2016
      • #64 Waterpark, Zoo & Aquarium 2016
      • #63 Technology 2016
      • #62 International
      • #61 Museums and Expanding Markets
    • 2015
      • #60 – IAAPA 2015
      • #59 – Zoos/Aquaria and Waterparks 2015
      • #58 – Technology 2015
      • #57 – International 2015
      • #56 – Museums 2015
    • 2014
      • #55 – IAAPA 2014 / Tenth Anniversary
      • #54 – Waterparks, Zoos and Aquariums 2014
      • #53 – Technology 2014
      • #52 – International 2014
      • #51 – Museums 2014
    • 2013
      • #46 – Museums 2013
      • #47 – International 2013
      • #48 – Technology 2013
      • #49 – Waterparks 2013
      • #50 – IAAPA 2013
      • 2013 Wrap-Up
    • 2012
      • #45 – IAAPA & WWA Wrap-Up
      • #44 – IAAPA
      • #43 – Waterparks
      • #42 – Technology
      • #41 – International
      • #40 – Museums
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
    • About InPark
    • Privacy Policy
  • IPM books
    • Screens to scenes: Christie’s visual technology
    • Tales from the Expo
    • Themed entertainment in academia
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linked
    • Youtube

FORREC Executive VP Steven Rhys retiring after 38 years of service

Nov 18, 2020 Joe Kleiman Attractions, Business, News, People, Theme Parks, Water Parks Comments Off on FORREC Executive VP Steven Rhys retiring after 38 years of service


FORREC Executive VP Steven Rhys retiring after 38 years of service

FORREC has announced the retirement of Steven C. Rhys, Executive Vice President, after 38 years at the organization, effective December 31st, 2020.

Rhys began his career at FORREC in 1982 as a designer and through hard work, determination, and passion, worked his way up to Executive Vice President, a role he has held for over 25 years. In 1986, Rhys was promoted to Partner, where he led the master planning of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and the master plan and design of Fiesta Texas Theme Parks in San Antonio, Texas. He also supported numerous entertainment, resort and commercial projects including The Villages in Florida, a stylized town center that would become the meeting place, social centre, and entertainment hub for residents and day- visitors. Rhys subsequently served for as Senior Vice President for eight years, where he oversaw the organization’s growth and succession strategy, project planning, and client relationships. Up until the end of 2019, he also was a shareholder within the company and served on the Board of Directors for 17 years.

“Throughout his many roles and responsibilities at FORREC, Steve has played a critical role in the development and ongoing success of our organization, including turning it into the global and industry-leading experience design company we are today,” said Cale Heit, President and CEO, FORREC. “He is an innovative leader who inspires his teams, pushes boundaries in design, and uses creativity and ingenuity to tell a story.”

“It has truly been a pleasure working at FORREC for so many years, partnering with leading owners, operators, and experts in our industry,” said, Steven C. Rhys, Executive Vice President, FORREC. “After 38 years, I am proud to be able to say that I helped to shape a great, creative, successful design company but none of it could have been achieved without FORREC’s dedicated, capable and passionate staff. I will fondly look back at all we have accomplished in our time together.”

As an executive at FORREC, Rhys has supported clients and licensed brands to reach their brand extension and global expansion goals. As some branded clients began expanding overseas, he supported investors and IP license holders to work together to develop branded attractions through strategic planning and design specifically geared to the developing markets in the Middle East, Asia, South East Asia, and Europe.

Over the course of his tenure, he has led the charge behind several significant projects including:

West Edmonton Mall, Canada

Universal Studios Orlando, USA

Fiesta Texas Theme Park, USA

Herschend Family Entertainment, (Dollywood/Siver Dollar City), USA

Sanrio (Hello Kitty) in Malaysia,

Various Six Flags theme parks, globally

The Villages (multiple expansions) USA

HiT Entertainment/Mattel (Thomas & Friends) in Malaysia and Dubai

Center Parcs Europe, (multiple resort water parks) Europe

Samsung Everland (Everland Theme Park, Caribbean Bay Water Park) South Korea

Rhys’ influential, innovative and genuine leadership style is one that has been built upon respect, a sincere desire to help clients, learning from the community, and sharing knowledge with his peers. His robust background in planning and design, and his innate ability to look at the big picture through a strategic lens, has immensely helped FORREC in bringing clients’ visions to life and developing memorable entertainment environments. He has been a strong contributor to creative solutions that has led to powerful opportunities for clients and significant advancements for the entertainment and experience industry.

FORREC thanks Rhys for his many years of remarkable service to our industry locally and across the globe and wish him all the best in his retirement.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Print

  • executive management, Forrec, management changes, retirement, Steven Rhys, themed entertainment design
  • tweet
Related articles
  • Former Walt Disney Imagineering executive Ian MacVittie joins Technifex
    Former Walt Disney Imagineering...

    Comments Off on Former Walt Disney Imagineering executive Ian MacVittie joins Technifex

  • Jason Surrell joins Storyland Studios as Executive Creative Director
    Jason Surrell joins Storyland Studios...

    Comments Off on Jason Surrell joins Storyland Studios as Executive Creative Director

  • Gretchen Baker named Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History
    Gretchen Baker named Director of...

    Comments Off on Gretchen Baker named Director of Carnegie Museum of Natural History

  • Former Universal Studios Hollywood exec David Miller joins San Diego Zoo Global as Chief Marketing Officer
    Former Universal Studios Hollywood exec...

    Comments Off on Former Universal Studios Hollywood exec David Miller joins San Diego Zoo Global as Chief Marketing Officer

More in this category
  • Extreme Engineering completes Cloud Coaster at Quest, Doha Oasis
    Extreme Engineering completes Cloud...

    Mar 04, 2021 Comments Off on Extreme Engineering completes Cloud Coaster at Quest, Doha Oasis

  • WonderWorks Pigeon Forge introduces new STEM exhibit explaining Earth’s spheres
    WonderWorks Pigeon Forge introduces new...

    Mar 04, 2021 Comments Off on WonderWorks Pigeon Forge introduces new STEM exhibit explaining Earth’s spheres

  • Registration now open for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2021, FREE registration for IPM readers
    Registration now open for Integrated...

    Mar 04, 2021 Comments Off on Registration now open for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2021, FREE registration for IPM readers

  • Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search firm for Executive Director position
    Themed Entertainment Association hires...

    Mar 04, 2021 Comments Off on Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search firm for Executive Director position


Quick Takes

My Tweets

Latest Issue

Leads & Opportunities

  • Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search firm for Executive Director position
    Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search...

    Mar 04, 2021 Comments Off on Themed Entertainment Association hires executive search firm for Executive Director position

    Position profile is anticipated in mid-March
  • Eleventh Hour seeks Technical Proposal Writer/Manager for entertainment company client
    Eleventh Hour seeks Technical Proposal Writer/Manager for...

    Feb 16, 2021 Comments Off on Eleventh Hour seeks Technical Proposal Writer/Manager for entertainment company client

    The position is ideal for a technical proposal writer who...
  • Little Canada seeks Visual Arts Specialist
    Little Canada seeks Visual Arts Specialist

    Feb 16, 2021 Comments Off on Little Canada seeks Visual Arts Specialist

    Little Canada is a highly detailed and animated journey...
  • Scenario seeks LA-based safety manager
    Scenario seeks LA-based safety manager

    Feb 15, 2021 Comments Off on Scenario seeks LA-based safety manager

    The main office/shop located in San Fernando with various...
  • Steelman Partners and Gensler designing 75 hectare resort near Angkor Wat
    Steelman Partners and Gensler designing 75 hectare resort...

    Feb 10, 2021 Comments Off on Steelman Partners and Gensler designing 75 hectare resort near Angkor Wat

    The initial phase is expected to be completed by 2025 at an...

Top Posts

  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Conserving the future
    San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Conserving the future
  • San Diego Zoo Global evolves into San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
    San Diego Zoo Global evolves into San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
  • Wärtsilä divests its entertainment division
    Wärtsilä divests its entertainment division
  • UAE and Israel relations stand to benefit Middle East tourism and Dubai Expo 2020
    UAE and Israel relations stand to benefit Middle East tourism and Dubai Expo 2020
  • LEGOLAND Florida Resort to open separately ticketed Peppa Pig theme park
    LEGOLAND Florida Resort to open separately ticketed Peppa Pig theme park
  • A relaxing place that Snoopy would love: 20-acre Peanuts-themed "Snoopy Garden" opens in Jeju, South Korea
    A relaxing place that Snoopy would love: 20-acre Peanuts-themed "Snoopy Garden" opens in Jeju, South Korea
  • Sally Brings the Animal Animatronics of Five Nights at Freddy's to Life in New Attraction Concept
    Sally Brings the Animal Animatronics of Five Nights at Freddy's to Life in New Attraction Concept

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Categories

  • IPM Interviews
  • Theme Parks
  • Museums
  • Water Parks
  • Attractions
    • Haunts
    • Zoos & Aquariums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Technology & Media
  • Business
    • Events
    • People
  • World Expos

InPark Magazine

2349 E Ohio Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207 USA
262.412.7107
mpalicki@inparkmagazine.com

View our Privacy Policy

Copyright 2018 InPark Magazine / All rights reserved
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram