Denise Hatcher is managing director of AOA with over 30 years of experience in the themed entertainment industry. In her career, Hatcher has held roles in business development, client management, business administration, company culture development, sales, marketing, legal compliance, and theme park and resort operations.
In her role as AOA’s managing director, Hatcher works closely with the owners, Tom Acomb and Mike Ostendorf, to grow and diversify the company while creating and maintaining a culture that engages and retains top talent in the industry. During her tenure with the company, AOA has been recognized as the Orlando Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Orlando, Best Workplace for Commuters, Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing US Companies and the AOA Studio in Winter Park was awarded the Coolest Office in Orlando by the Orlando Business Journal. Her project credits with AOA include work with such clients as Storyliving by Disney, Her Universe, Disney Institute, and the City of Winter Park.
During her tenures with both Disney Parks Marketing Strategy and Disney Vacation Club Sales and Marketing, Hatcher was responsible for leading teams that developed marketing strategies, integrated communications plans, and the execution of special events and marketing launch campaigns for the Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Some of Hatcher’s key career highlights include leading several campaigns, including those for New Fantasyland and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, several Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and several other special events, dedication ceremonies, and opening events, including exclusive charter events onboard Disney Cruise Line.
In addition to her executive responsibilities, she has organized AOA’s contributions to causes including OnePULSE Foundation in Orlando, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orlando Family Stage. Outside of AOA, Hatcher serves on several boards, supporting the entertainment and education community including the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Eastern Division, the Business Program at Rollins College, and the Themed Entertainment Master’s Program at the University of Central Florida.
Hatcher graduated from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre in 1995 and completed her Master of Business Administration at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in 2001.