Josh D’Amaro has been working for almost three decades at The Walt Disney Company. D’Amaro has one of the most extensive and diverse executive resumes in the entertainment industry, which makes him the man to succeed Bob Iger. He first joined Disney in 1998 at the Disneyland Resort and rose through the company's ranks over the next 27 years.D’Amaro, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing from Georgetown University, was working in Gillette’s finance department before jumping ship to Disney in 1998.In those 27 years, Josh D’Amaro has held a number of high leadership positions in the consumer products, global operations divisions and the parks of Disney. He has held positions as president of Disneyland Resort, CFO of Disney Consumer Products Global Licensing, and president of Walt Disney World Resort, where he was in charge of the company's flagship theme park.During the pandemic in May of 2020, D’Amaro was promoted to chairman of Disney Experiences, where he was in charge of consumer goods, theme parks, cruise lines, and Walt Disney Imagineering. The division soon became the company's most dependable source of income, especially during the post-pandemic recovery phase.Why Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as the CEO?D’Amaro was chosen by Disney's board in large part because of his extensive institutional understanding, operational discipline, and capacity to strike a balance between inventiveness and large-scale execution. His leadership of Disney Experiences, which included managing a $60 billion worldwide development plan that included new attractions, cruise ships, and a planned theme park complex in Abu Dhabi, was crucial in setting him up to become the company's next CEO.After Bob Chapek left the corporation in 2022, Bob Iger returned to lead it, and D’Amaro will formally succeed him. The board members, along with Bob Iger, unanimously approved D’Amaro's appointment. It is anticipated that Iger will continue to serve as a board member and senior adviser until the end of 2026.Speaking about D’Amaro's appointment as CEO, Iger said in a statement:“Josh D’Amaro is an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO. He has an instinctive appreciation of the Disney brand, and a deep understanding of what resonates with our audiences, paired with the rigor and attention to detail required to deliver some of our most ambitious projects. His ability to combine creativity with operational excellence is exemplary and I am thrilled for Josh and the company.”Josh D’Amaro also spoke about his appointment in a statement:“I am immensely grateful to the board for entrusting me with leading a company that means so much to me and millions around the world.”He added:“Disney’s strength has always come from our people and the creative excellence that defines our stories and experiences. There is no limit to what Disney can achieve, and I am excited to work with our teams across the company and brilliant creative partners to honor Disney’s remarkable legacy while continuing to innovate, grow, and deliver exceptional value for our consumers and shareholders.” D’Amaro's new salary as the CEOAs he formally takes over, D'Amaro will be taking home $38 milion, which is a reward for his long-term success. It includes a basic salary of $2.5 million, a one-time equity award of $9.75 million upon becoming CEO, and $26.2 million in annual long-term stock incentives. And if he meets his performance targets, D'Amaro is eligible for an annual bonus of up to 250% of his base salary.With 30 years of experience with the company under his belt, Josh D’Amaro is the perfect candidate for Disney's post-Iger era.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.