PERSONAL PROFILES

KATHY MCHUGH

Kathy McHugh has an internationally recognized reputation for entertainment, business and media development in a variety of industries. Her ability to manage large entertainment projects and creative multi-layered media project gives KMC clients the assurance that special attention and focused management will be applied to their demanding, time-sensitive project and schedules.

With over thirty years in the Themed Entertainment Industry (13 formative years at the Walt Disney Company) Kathy has extensive experience in many different areas of the development and operation of leisure and recreation projects. Kathy's early career was focused in Operations Management at Walt Disney World. During the development of EPCOT Center, Kathy was transferred to Glendale California to work at Disney's design organization, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) as Project Coordinator of General Electric's $90 million Horizons Pavilion in Future World, which successfully opened as a phase two project at EPCOT Center.

As a recognized international operations expert and show producer in this industry, Kathy has lead her small, boutique consulting firm, Kathy McHugh Consulting (KMC), in the development and production of quality attractions. Kathy's experience offers clients the benefit of operational input and troubleshooting, human resource planning and "fatal flaws" analysis, as well as training and operational documentation in the development of many themed entertainment projects around the world.

Since the founding of KMC in 1985, Kathy is very proud that KMC has worked extensively with the Universal Studio's Technical Services, Entertainment and Safety Departments for over 15 years developing standard operating, maintenance and safety procedures for the majority of the new or rehabbed attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood from 1984 through 2000. Although Universal Studios Hollywood has appreciated KMC's integrated services, Kathy has personally experienced the benefits of being a USH team member on these major LA based attractions, while being able to analyze the production activities and the performance of the many different vendors supplying services or products to such a demanding client. These most recent attractions include: Terminator 2/3D; Jurassic Park the Ride; WaterWorld Stunt Show, Jurassic Park, etc.

As a Show Producer and Operations Consultant, Kathy has recently and successfully produced the $3.1 million show production budget for Don Quixote Attraction (Dream Makers Company – Japan) and the $7 million Star Galaxy Adventure Touring Attraction (Hollywood Quest, Inc. – Russia).

Kathy recently finished a project as part of a business consultant team (MCM Group, Inc.) that is completely reorganizing a United Arab Emirates media company, Emirates Media Inc. (3 Television Stations, 7 Radio Stations, 2 Magazines and 2 Newspapers) to turn it into a profitable business. She and KMC are responsible in the reorganization of Corporate Human Resources, as well as Publications, Printing & Distribution, and the establishing of an overall internal training program to establish a new corporate culture and business emphasis in this company. This project ended abruptly after the “9/11 attack” on the World Trade Center.

Above all, Kathy is known for running a tight ship and working extremely hard for KMC’s clients. She treats each project as if she personally owns it and is investing her life saving into the project, ensuring a creative and operationally sound business venture!

She is currently a volunteer President of the Los Angeles Park Advisory Board, a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the ASTM Association and a former member of the Themed Entertainment Association.

 

KMC SPECIALISTS

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT/ TRAINING: MARY ANN YOUNG

Mary Ann is also an experienced Disney alumni that has worked with Kathy for many years. She has a wide range of experience from Disney's Operations Management and Human Resource Development division; Manager of National Car Rental Southeastern Area Employee Training; acted as Manager of Main Gate and Admissions for the opening of Universal Studios Florida Theme Park, responsible for policy and procedures, hiring, training, directing management and hourly staff and coordinating special events. In this role she created and taught Department Orientation programs, Guest Skills Workshop and Leadership Orientation, including the set up of department systems and communications for 300 employees and took them operational.
She was in charge of the planning and operation of Ticketing and Guest Services for 'Splendid China' in Florida. Mary Ann has also been involved in the Training and Operational Opening of the Clark Quay Ride and the Singapore Discovery Centre, both located in Singapore, as well as many other KMC projects.
Mary Ann’s talent in training a staff to perform at peak operating levels cannot be exceeded in the themed entertainment business. She guarantees high results after she has completed a training program.

Note: KMC maintains a low overhead has other experienced resources available for specific assignments that have a good track record of working with KMC and its clients.