Disney has announced the promotion of Tom Staggs to the post of chief operating officer.
The Walt Disney Parks and Resort chairman joined the company in 1990 and has steadily risen through the ranks.
The latest move puts him in pole position as the potential successor to CEO Bob Iger, whose contract expires in 2018.
Disney said Staggs will assume the role of COO with immediate effect while overseeing the parks division until a successor is named.
Staggs became head of the parks division in 2010 and was previously CFO for 12 years.
He has been lauded for leading steady growth in parks business and overseeing the development of the Shanghai theme park that will open next year.
"Tom is an incredibly experienced, talented and versatile executive who has led Parks and Resorts during a time of unprecedented growth and expansion, including the construction of Shanghai Disney Resort," said Disney CEO Bob Iger.
"His proven ability to lead a business as well as his successful tenure as Disney’s former CFO make him an ideal Chief Operating Officer, expanding his portfolio into all the company’s businesses."
