RWS Global, a leading producer of live experiences, has announced that founder, chairman & CEO Ryan Stana will transition to executive chairman, while current chief operating officer Jake McCoy will take on the role of interim CEO.
Stana announced the transition, supported by Bluestone Equity Partners, RWS Global’s minority investor, and the company’s board of directors.
RWS Global is based in New York, London, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Orlando, Sydney, and Riyadh, with dedicated studios in New York and the UK.
It provides entertainment and sports experiences for international brands, cruise lines, sports entities, and venue owners, serving prominent clients like Apple, Carnival, The Coca-Cola Company, FIFA, Merlin Entertainments, NFL, Warner Bros., and others.
With comprehensive capabilities from concept to execution, RWS Global creates over one million live moments every day and employs more than 8,000 staff worldwide.
See also: RWS Global: shaping the future of experiential design
This transition signifies a key milestone in RWS Global’s development. Following five years of rapid growth, the company is prepared to move into its next phase.
This leadership setup allows Stana to concentrate on long-term strategy, vision, and new growth opportunities, while McCoy handles operational excellence and daily operations.
The next phase for RWS
Stana, who founded RWS Global 23 years ago and has led it since, has grown the company into a leading provider of live entertainment. He has expanded its international presence, diversified its services, and attracted top talent worldwide.
As executive chairman, he will continue to support the leadership team and collaborate closely with McCoy to maintain continuity and momentum.
“Jake has been instrumental in our growth and is the right leader for RWS Global today,” says Stana.
“I have had the privilege of guiding the business through significant growth and M&A with a clear focus on building for the future. The priority now is ensuring the right leadership is in place to sustain that momentum.
"Jake’s operational expertise, global perspective, and ability to deliver world-class experiences make him well-suited to lead the company into its next chapter and drive continued success for our team and partners.”
As interim CEO, McCoy will manage global operations and lead execution throughout the company. A seasoned leader at RWS Global, he has over ten years of experience in various divisions and markets.
He started his career there as a production manager and has been instrumental in developing the company’s operational infrastructure and expanding its international presence.
As COO, McCoy directed worldwide expansion efforts and operational excellence in land, sea, and sports production. In 2022, he moved to the UK to set up the company’s presence and will continue to be based there.
“Throughout my time at RWS Global, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Ryan and help build nearly every part of the business,” says McCoy.
"Ryan’s vision, enthusiasm and leadership are so inspiring. I’m humbled and excited to lead the team into its next phase—combining creative excellence with operational rigor to scale the brand globally while strengthening performance, accountability, and speed.”
Search for a new CEO
Bluestone Equity Partners is currently leading the search for a permanent CEO. Interested candidates can apply via email.
To facilitate this transition, chief financial officer Chris Lucarz has been named interim president & CFO, taking on greater responsibility for financial performance, operations, and business discipline.
The wider leadership team maintains a mix of institutional expertise and external insights. Lucarz (previously with NBCUniversal) and chief growth officer Veronica Hart (formerly at Paramount Global) offer solid experience in corporate management and scaling.
Meanwhile, seasoned executives such as chief creative officer Craig Laurie, chief of staff Meghan Murphy, and McCoy ensure strong institutional continuity.
“Ryan has been a driving force behind RWS Global’s success,” says Bobby Sharma, founder and managing partner of Bluestone Equity Partners.
“We are confident in this leadership evolution and excited to support Ryan, Jake, and the executive team as they continue to drive growth and innovation.”
During the most recent winter season, RWS Global entertained more than 7.5 million visitors worldwide, both on land and at sea.
Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.
