Jim Dean BS Engineering Technology, '80 President of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's Busch Gardens and Adventure Island in Tampa, FL

Executive Profile
After graduating in 1980 with an engineering degree from Memphis State University, Jim began his career at McDonnell Douglas Corporation in St. Louis, Mo. as a systems engineer.  While residing in St. Louis, he continued his education and received an MBA from St. Louis University.  During his graduate studies he made a career change and took a position as a financial analyst in the corporate headquarters of Anheuser-Busch (A-B).  He transferred to Busch Gardens Tampa as finance manager in 1990 and Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. in 1993 as finance vice president.  He was promoted in 1998 to executive assistant to the president of Busch Entertainment Corporation. Two years later Dean accepted the head of finance position with A-B’s European trade office in London.  He returned to the U.S. five years later as vice president of accounting for the U.S. brewing division of A-B.  He moved back to the company’s theme parks in 2008 as head of finance.  In December 2009 Busch Entertainment became SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment as a result of the acquisition by The Blackstone Group. In March 2010 he accepted the role as the new park president of Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island while also continuing to serve on the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Strategy Committee.  Jim also serves on the board for the Tampa Bay & Company (Tampa Bay’s regional convention and visitor bureau), Tampa Bay Partnership (regional economic development committee), The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Innovation Alliance, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.