Business Briefs
Army Simulation and Training Group Moves to Research Park
Lighthouse Appoints New President and CEO
UCF President Dale Whittaker, U.S. Army Lieutenant General James Richardson, U.S. Army Major General Maria Gervais and National Center for Simulation COO George Cheros cut the ribbon at the Partnership IV building. The U.S. Army is moving a state-of-the-art training program for soldiers to Central Florida Research Park, nationally known as a hub for research and development in simulation and training. The Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Team (STE-CFT) will share space in a building owned by the University of Central Florida (UCF). The program is spearheading the Army’s efforts to modernize training using stateof-the-art technology to bring together virtual and real-world environments that will better prepare and protect soldiers. It’s relocating its lab, operations and 35 technical and administrative employees from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The move will allow the STE-CFT to operate alongside the Army’s Program Executive Office for Simulation,
Training and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI) as well as researchers from UCF’s Institute for Simulation and Training. “The longstanding partnership between UCF and the U.S. military grew stronger today,” said UCF President Dale Whittaker. “Together, this research will contribute to our nation’s welfare and the safety and success of the men and women who defend our country.” The announcement was celebrated in late January at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 28 at the Partnership IV building, part of the John C. Hitt Partnership Complex of four buildings UCF owns in Research Park. Guest speakers included Whittaker, Army Lieutenant General James Richardson, and Chief Operating Officer George Cheros of the National Center for Simulation.
Ky l e Jo h n s o n h a s b e e n named president and CEO of Lighthouse Central Florida, a nonprofit that provides visionsp e cif ic rehabilitat ion for residents of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties who live with blindness or vision loss. He will also oversee Lighthouse Works, a revenue-generating subsidiar y comp any that forwards Lighthouse’s mission. Johnson started volunteering with the organization in 2012 and became it s director of resource development and communications in 2013. He steps into the shoes of Lee Nasehi, who had held the post since 2000. She is the new president and CEO of VisionServe Alliance, a national consortium of nonprofits that provide vision rehabilitation services.
SeaWorld Names New CEO, COO and Board Chair Gustavo “Gus” Antorcha has been named CEO of Orlando-based SeaWorld Entertainment and a member of the board of directors, and interim CEO John T. Reilly has been appointed COO. Antorcha replaces Joel Manby, who stepped down in 2018 after three years at the helm of the theme park company.
Carnival, he was a partner and managing director at the Boston Consulting Group, where he specialized in the travel and leisure industries.
Antorcha previously served as COO at Carnival Cruise Lines, where he worked for more than eight years. Prior to joining
“We are thrilled to welcome Gus to the SeaWorld team,” Maruyama said. “Gus is a proven leader with broad experiences
Business 14 | MARCH 2019 | i4Biz.com
The company has also named Yoshikazu Maruyama the chair of its board of directors. He previously served as interim executive chairman.
Innovation
in the travel and leisure industries. His unique combination of strategy, operations and leadership skills make him the right person to lead SeaWorld through its next phase of growth. Gus helped deliver strong financial results and improved guest satisfaction at Carnival by leading efforts to optimize pricing, improve onboard marketing and communications, introduce new guest experiences and drive capital and cost efficiencies — all core to SeaWorld’s current strategy.”
Education
