Denise has over 25 years of experience in the themed entertainment industry working in a variety of positions including theme park and resort operations, legal compliance, marketing, sales and business administration.
She draws upon her diverse background, leadership experience and project management skills, to build and motivate strong teams who are successful in achieving their goals.
During her tenure in Disney Parks Marketing Strategy, Denise was responsible for leading the team that developed marketing strategies and integrated communications plans supporting the Walt Disney World theme parks including special events and attraction launches at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. With Disney Vacation Club Sales and Marketing, Denise managed the strategy and execution of special events and marketing launch campaigns supporting new Disney Vacation Club Resorts and sales channels worldwide.
Some of Denise’s key career highlights are leading the development of Disney theme park attraction launch campaigns for New Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom and special event marketing campaigns for Star Wars Weekends, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Denise also led the event team that launched the first full charter “Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise” onboard Disney Cruise Line in 2003, an event which continues to delight members today.
Denise’s passion for the themed entertainment industry continues at AOA where she has serves as Managing Director. In her senior-level position in the company, Denise 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 for four years, 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.
In addition to her executive responsibilities, Denise spearheads AOA’s community outreach programs and serves on several boards, supporting the entertainment and education community including the TEA Eastern Division Board, the Orlando REP Theatre, University of Central Florida Themed Experience Program, and as an adjunct professor for Rollins College Business School.