Roto, a leading planning & design-build firm, acquired Brilliant Creative Fabrication in November 2021. Brilliant is an Orlando-based custom fabrication studio that builds themed environments for a range of well-known clients, including Disney, Universal, Aloft Hotels, and Peloro Four Seasons. Now, the company has announced that Allen Boerger, co-founder and COO of Roto, will step into the role of CEO at Brilliant.
Boerger has been COO and partner at Roto since 2004 and has over 25 years of experience as an innovator in the themed entertainment and attractions space. During his time with Roto, he has overseen some of the company’s biggest projects, working with clients like Disney, Universal, the Da Vinci Science Center, and the National Museum of Military Vehicles.
This move is part of a strategy to expand both companies’ services to projects around the globe.
Taking the industry to new heights
Brilliant’s new CEO will relocate to Orlando, and former CEO David Piper will move into the role of principal, overseeing the company’s work to build and evolve its relationships across the industry. Leo English, VP of customer experience at Brilliant, will also serve as a principal.
The agreement with Roto sees Brilliant continuing to operate in Orlando as a wholly-owned but independent affiliate.
“Dave and Leo have set the benchmark for building show-stopping experiences that leave people awestruck and delighted,” says Boerger. “It’s an honor to be working closely with them and the entire Brilliant team as we take the industry to new heights.”
An attractions industry veteran
Boerger co-founded Roto in 2004 alongside CEO Joseph Wisne. Before starting the company, the pair also worked together on the makeover of Columbus’s Center of Science and Industry (COSI), voted one of 2021’s best museums by USA Today readers and referred to as “America’s Other EPCOT” by Theme Park Tourist. Boerger has been involved in the attractions industry ever since his first job, as a Disney cast member.
“Allen’s experience working across disciplines from planning and design to media and engineering makes him the perfect fit to lead Brilliant into its next chapter,“ says Piper. “His expertise will also enable Brilliant and Roto to work seamlessly together as we expand our design-build and production offerings to projects worldwide.”
Roto will now expand its operations in Orlando. Soon, the company will open a satellite design studio and plans to hire leaders from across the themed attractions and experiences industry.
Last year, the company explained more about its work with the new National Museum of Military Vehicles (NMMV) a major visitor experience project in the US.
