Roto, a leading planning & design-build firm, has reflected on key projects and activities from 2024, which marked its 20th anniversary.
The company has experienced rapid expansion over the past 20 years. It is positioned to use its “supersensory” approach and technical expertise to create cutting-edge immersive and interactive experiences for the museum and attractions sectors through the next ten years and beyond.
Key announcements
In this milestone year, Roto also announced a change in executive leadership, appointing Dana Russell as VP of brand and culture, and Maurice Twomey, who had previously served as CFO/COO, as president. The CEO and founding partner of the employee-owned company, Joseph Wisne, assumed the role of chief creative officer.
Changes to the team in 2024 also included the recruitment of 13 new associates, to meet the growing demand for custom interactive and immersive experiences.
Furthermore, as part of Roto’s continuous onsite evaluation activities, the company hosted more than 1,000 students from more than 10 schools in central Ohio. The 2024 evaluations covered experiences from over 10 varied client projects.
Roto also revealed plans to establish a unique 30,000-square-foot “experimental museum” in Columbus, Ohio. This will be the company’s first public-facing venture.
Major projects
Roto’s 2024 project openings included:
- Cleveland Creates at Great Lakes Science Center
- Da Vinci Science Center – a new museum with multiple galleries
- The Dolly Parton Experience at Dollywood
- Save the Bay Narragansett Bay – Hamilton Family Aquarium
- 3 new galleries: Design, Build, Sail!, Our Port, and Heart of the Navy at Nauticus
- Kaleideum – a new museum with multiple galleries
- Change Your Game at the National Museum of American History
- New casework for the National Museum of Military Vehicles
- Life at Orlando Science Center
- The Goizueta Children’s Experience at Atlanta History Center, which is scheduled to open in early January 2025
This momentum is set to continue into 2025, with projects scheduled for clients including Omaha Children’s Museum, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, B&O Railroad Museum, Heinz Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Children’s Museum of Richmond, Ohio Expo Center, EdVenture, Science Center of Iowa, Texas State Aquarium, New England Aquarium, and Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center.
Maurice Twomey, president and CFO, says: “Roto’s remarkable growth over the past 20 years has set the stage for an even more dynamic future. As we look ahead to the next decade, we are energized and inspired by the boundless possibilities of the cultural attractions industry. With our supersensory mindset and groundbreaking technical capabilities, we are eager to continue pushing the boundaries of immersive and interactive experiences for museums and attractions — creating the future, together.”
Roto recently showcased its recent work at IAAPA Expo. This included projects for institutions like Orlando Science Center, Dollywood, One Times Square, and more which demonstrated the company’s approach to creating genuine human connections in the built environment through nature, play, creativity, multisensory immersion, and more.
