Charlie Gundacker

Charlie Gundacker is a trailblazer and industry leader in theme parks and resorts. He has managed project design, creative development, ride and show execution, and construction for Universal Parks & Resorts’ most renowned and beloved attractions.

Gundacker, as senior vice president and executive project director, has managed forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, designing, bidding, and construction for major projects at Universal Orlando Resort, including Epic Universe.

Walking through Universal Orlando properties, his influence is evident everywhere. Since joining in 1988, he has overseen the creation of new attractions, retail spaces, hotels, and dining facilities, including many of Universal Studios' flagship attractions.

His leadership facilitated the successful development of Universal Orlando Resort and its subsequent expansion, which includes flagship attractions such as Hogwarts Express, Fast & Furious —Supercharged, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Simpsons Ride, and Transformers: The Ride—3D, among others.

As demand for Universal increased, Gundacker managed the development of resorts like Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Sapphire Falls Resort, while also taking on the responsibility of creating new venues at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk.

Before joining Universal Orlando, he worked as a structural engineer and resident project engineer at Boyle Engineering Corporation in Orlando, Florida. He oversaw the design of numerous buildings and wastewater treatment facilities across Central Florida.