Chick Russell

Chick Russell, MA, is CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Chick Russell & Company, Inc., an international multi-award-winning firm specializing in design of epic destination experiences including world-class theme parks, luxury resorts, inspirational museum exhibits, engaging mixed-use RD&E projects, and compelling sports interactions.

Mr. Russell has led creative development for preeminent entertainment organizations around the world including Walt Disney Imagineering, Universal Destinations and Experiences, Qiddiya, Everland Park, and Chimelong Marine Science Park. He has also spearheaded projects for leading museums and science centers such as the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, The Franklin Institute, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, the Atomic Museum Vegas, and the California Science Center.

Mr. Russell’s destination design portfolio features luxury resorts including Resorts World Sentosa, Lotte Jeju Island Resort, Thousand Islands Resort Jakarta, and Atlantis Ko Olina Resort Hawaii. He has also developed specialized immersive experiences for Neon Global, Hyundai MotorStudio Goyang, FC Barcelona, FedEx Forum, and U.S. Navy Battle Stations 21.

Before founding CRC, Mr. Russell was the Executive Creative Director at Universal Destinations and Experiences for seven years. He led development of world-famous attractions, including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Mario Kart AR Game Ride at Super Nintendo World, Transformers 3D Ride, Fast & Furious Flight Simulator Ride, and The Simpsons Springfield, U.S.A. at Universal’s global resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, Osaka, Singapore, and Beijing.

Prior to Universal, Mr. Russell served 14 years as a Senior Show Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering, overseeing iconic projects at Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris, and development of the Tokyo DisneySea park.

Mr. Russell’s ingenious creations have thrilled hundreds of millions of guests around the world. His work has earned numerous accolades, including 13 Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement, an American Association of Museums Award, an International 3D Society Lumiere Award, Access All Areas Best Visitor Experience Award, a White House Commendation Letter.

Mr. Russell holds a Master of Arts in design management from Loyola Marymount University, a media management certificate from USC Annenberg, and a scriptwriting certificate from UCLA. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America, the American Alliance of Museums, the Themed Entertainment Association, and IAAPA.