Roto, a leading planning & design-build firm, acquired Orlando-based custom fabrication studio Brilliant Fabrication in early 2022 and has now unveiled the company’s new brand identity ahead of IAAPA Expo 2022.
Brilliant Fabrication is also celebrating the addition of three new team members in key leadership positions, following the retirement of long-time industry icon Leo English, and the appointment of new CEO, Allen Boerger.
Three key hires
Molly Piveral joins Brilliant as senior project manager, moving from a similar role at the Nassal Companies. Since starting her career with Disney in live show production she has also served in creative management, production, program direction and project management roles. She has worked on projects for theme parks, zoos and aquariums, and more, and is also on the Eastern Board of the Themed Entertainment Association.
“Molly is focused on getting things done, and getting it right,” says Boerger. “She’s a great leader with super-valuable experience in project management and leading creative teams for complex projects. Plus, Molly has more energy than one person deserves. We’re lucky to have her onboard.”
The firm has also appointed Steve Royal to the role of art director. In previous roles, he has been a show production designer for Walt Disney Imagineering and a field art director for Universal Creative and has a strong track record in delivering the quality that is expected of major theme park attractions. In his new role, he will oversee the finished quality of all work that leaves Brilliant’s shop, working closely with client Art Directors to ensure that their vision is achieved.
“Steve has had great success as an art director for Walt Disney Imagineering and Universal Creative,” says Boerger. “He has awesome talent, and he’s the kind of person you can trust to deliver the best work. In a few short weeks, Steve is already a key member of the Brilliant team.”
Finally, Wayne Hoge becomes Brilliant’s new director of operations, returning to the company after a short break. He brings more than two decades of experience as a licensed general contractor working for attractions, museum exhibits, architectural millwork, and ornamental metal projects. He has worked on some of the firm’s most complex and demanding theme park and architectural projects.
“Wayne understands themed fabrication and the attention to detail required to produce the very best work. He’s the kind of hands-on manager who keeps custom projects on schedule, and facilitates effective collaboration across art and engineering disciplines” said Boerger.
A strong team and a new chapter
Brilliant also recently promoted Massiel Franco Beltre to the position of assistant production manager, following two years of leadership in the fibreglass studio and her efforts to establish the new finishing studio.
Brilliant has a team of more than 50 master craftspeople, artists, technicians, designers, engineers, and project management/administrative experts, bringing together old-school, hand-made craftsmanship with modern and efficient technology.
“Our focus is on creating high-quality work and being a great partner to our clients,” says Boerger. “New additions to our team, along with our new Finishing Studio and continued upgrades to our QA/QC systems, are all part of that commitment. We’re here to build amazing things.”
With its new brand identity, the firm has kept the connection to its history as Brilliant Creative Fabrication, Piper Productions and Lexington East. After joining Roto Group in 2022 it now benefits from Roto’s global reach, design capacity, and media/AV capabilities, while operating as a wholly independent fabrication shop in the heart of Orlando.
Attendees at IAAPA Expo 2022 can meet both the Roto and Brilliant teams at booth #669 and are also invited to join a cocktail reception at the booth on Tuesday 15 November from 4 pm to 6 pm. For a tour of Brilliant’s Orlando facility, while they are in the area, attendees can email Dave Piper.
Earlier this year, Roto developed a new digital exhibition gallery for COX Science Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Top image: credit Seth Kerechanin Photography
