UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): February 6, 2015
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
| Delaware | 001-35883 | 27-1220297 | ||
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400 | ||
| Orlando, Florida | 32819 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(407) 226-5011
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c)) |
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On February 6, 2015, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) announced that Daniel B. Brown has been appointed Chief Parks Operations Officer of the Company, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Brown now has operational oversight over all of the Company’s theme parks.
Mr. Brown, age 60, has been the Chief Operating Officer – SeaWorld & Discovery Cove since 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Brown served as Park President of SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and Aquatica from 2007 to 2010, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island from 2003 to 2007, Park President of Busch Gardens Williamsburg from 1999 to 2003, and Vice President of Operations of Busch Entertainment Corporation from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Brown serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board of UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the executive board of Visit Orlando, the board of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and the Orange County International Drive Community Development Area Advisory Committee. Mr. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree of Arts from Webster University.
Donald W. Mills Jr., formerly the Company’s Chief Operating Officer – Busch Gardens & Sesame Place, has been reassigned to the position of Orlando Park President responsible for leading the Company’s Orlando theme parks – SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica.
There is no family relationship between Mr. Brown and any director, executive officer, or person chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. Mr. Brown is not a party to any transaction that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Mr. Brown received no increase in compensation upon his appointment as Chief Parks Operations Officer.
A copy of the press release issued by the Company announcing the appointment of Mr. Brown and the reassignment of Mr. Mills is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits. The exhibit listed on the Exhibit Index accompanying this Current Report on Form 8-K is filed herewith.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. | ||||
| Date: February 6, 2015 | By: | /s/ G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor | ||
| Name: | G. Anthony (Tony) Taylor | |||
| Title: | Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |||
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 99.1 | Press release dated February 6, 2015. |
Exhibit 99.1
SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ANNOUNCES OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT CHANGES
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 6, 2015 – SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and entertainment company, today announced changes in its operations management. These changes are part of the Company’s previously announced business optimization plans.
Daniel B. Brown becomes the Company’s Chief Parks Operations Officer having operational oversight over all of the Company’s theme parks. Donald W. Mills becomes Orlando Park President responsible for leading the Company’s Orlando parks: SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Current Orlando Park President Terry Prather moves to the Company’s corporate team to become Senior Vice President of Operations with oversight of the safety, environmental, ride operations and standardization functions across the Company’s parks. He will also work closely with the Company’s industry-leading zoological operations.
Brown has been with the Company for nearly 40 years and has served as Park President for SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Busch Gardens Williamsburg as well as Corporate Vice President of Operations.
Mills has held a variety of positions in park and corporate leadership over a career that spans 40 years. He served as Park President of both the Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Busch Gardens Tampa parks and also led operations in parks including SeaWorld San Diego.
Prather has led SeaWorld Orlando’s park operations since 2010. He also served as General Manager of Water Country USA in Williamsburg, Va. and held several operations management positions at SeaWorld San Antonio.
About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company delivering personal, interactive and educational experiences that blend imagination with nature and enable its customers to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world we share. The Company owns or licenses a portfolio of globally recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Shamu® and Busch Gardens®. Over its more than 50-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 11 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind collection of approximately 86,000 marine and terrestrial animals. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest animal collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld rescue team has helped more than 24,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
Copies of this and other news releases as well as additional information about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. can be obtained online at www.seaworldentertainment.com. Shareholders and prospective investors can also register to automatically receive the Company’s press releases, SEC filings and other notices by e-mail by registering at that website.
Contacts:
Investor Relations Inquiries:
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
855.797.8625
Investors@SeaWorld.com
Media Inquiries:
Fred Jacobs
Vice President of Communications
Fred.Jacobs@SeaWorld.com