Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Executive to Lead Worldwide Attractions Association in 2017

ALEXANDRiA, Virginia — The board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has elected Greg Hale second vice chairman. Hale is vice president and chief safety officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide. He will be IAAPA’s second vice chairman in 2015, first vice chairman in 2016, and then lead the association as its chairman of the board in 2017.

“Greg Hale is passionate about the global attractions industry and about IAAPA,” said Bob Rippy, chairman of the IAAPA Governance Committee that is responsible for nominating the second vice chairman to the board of directors. “His industry knowledge combined with his proven track record of leadership on safety-related issues and other complex industry matters make him an ideal second vice chairman for IAAPA.”

Hale is a 26-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company. He joined Walt Disney World in 1988 as manager of electrical and electronics engineering, ride and show engineering in 1989. He was named director of facilities and attractions regulatory compliance in 1995 and promoted to vice president of design, engineering, and regulatory compliance in 1999. In 2002, he was promoted to vice president and chief safety officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and leads a global team of ride design, operations, and maintenance professionals that keep Disney on the leading edge of theme park safety, accessibility for guests with disabilities, and technology advancements. Hale currently holds 63 patents around the world that have contributed to numerous innovations and inventions in the amusement industry.

Hale has been an active volunteer with IAAPA for more than 15 years, including serving on the Government Relations, New Technology Awards, Nominating, and Strategic Planning Committees. He has also been a member of the IAAPA Safety Committee including serving as its chairman for several years. He has been a speaker on industry safety-related topics at IAAPA events around the world and was a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors from 2003 to 2005. He received the association’s Public Affairs Award in 2003 and its Outstanding Service Award in 2010. He also plays a key leadership role in the association’s efforts to develop and harmonize industry safety standards around the globe, facilitating safety standards meetings in more than 16 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Hale has also been the chairman of the ASTM International – F24 Subcommittee on Standards Harmonization since 2008.

Hale has been a member and past officer of the ASTM F24 Committee on Amusement Rides and Devices since 1989. He is a former member of the board of directors and currently serves as a board of delegates member for the National Safety Council. He has received the National Safety Council Distinguished Service to Safety Award, the ASTM International Dr. Richard H. “Doc” Brown Memorial Exceptional Service Award, the ASTM International William T. Cavanaugh Memorial Award, and the FIRST Orlando Volunteer of the Year Award.

Hale holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Mississippi.

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