JRA Announces Search for Global Creative Director and Promotes Long-Time Employee Mark Amos to Vice President

JRA – Part of RWS Entertainment Group and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, has announced a global search for a Creative Director to help lead their design team in Cincinnati. As the international design company embarks on its biggest year to date with more than a dozen openings around the world scheduled for 2022, JRA is committed to staying at the forefront of innovative design. JRA has also announced the promotion of senior employee Mark Amos to the role of Vice President where he will help guide the overall strategic and creative direction of the firm and support rapid growth in all markets.

JRA’s Creative Director will lead a dynamic team of design professionals in Cincinnati and around the world with oversight of all guest experiences on land and at sea. The Creative Director will also ensure innovative and consistent delivery of all design work and inspire the team to push boundaries in both traditional and emerging media.

Mark Amos has been with JRA for nearly two decades, working on, and leading projects such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Angry Birds Activity Park in St. Petersburg, Russia. His experience in the industry is results-driven and brings a creative approach based on his thorough understanding of creative development and design processes, master planning, project and construction management. In his new role Amos will focus on managing the design staff, fostering collaborative efforts within the industry and providing overall support to the design development of the various JRA projects.

“Promoting Mark to Vice President is both smart and strategic,” said Keith James, President of JRA. “Mark will have a key role in moving JRA forward into expansion and growth. He brings precision and creativity to JRA’s designs and will lead the design team into the future for bigger, bolder and more exciting attractions.”

“JRA has delivered groundbreaking creativity for clients on six of the world’s seven continents,” said Ryan Stana, Founder and CEO of RWS Entertainment Group. “Enhancing the team by hiring a Creative Director will allow us to deliver uncompromising experiences for our current and new clients, big or small, no matter where they are located.”

A full position description and qualifications for the Creative Director role are available here. In a period of unprecedented growth, JRA and parent company RWS Entertainment Group are looking for a variety of diverse, creative and talented people to join their team. From marketing professionals and accountants to technical directors and photographers, new opportunities can be found on the RWS website.

JRA’s recent promotions also include Shawn McCoy, Executive Vice President; Ron Bunt Executive Vice President; Chloe Hausfeld, Vice President and Clara Rice, Global Director, Marketing and Communications.

• Shawn McCoy to Executive Vice President: For 28 years, Shawn has transitioned JRA’s clients from kick-off through the initial planning and design phase, ensuring that they enjoy a smooth working relationship with the company’s designers, writers and producers. He provides overall strategy and concept development for a number of projects and is instrumental in assembling outside specialists and vendors for JRA’s large-scale design efforts. Clients include National Comedy Center, Science Centre Singapore and Hasbro. In 2020, Shawn was named to the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer List, which recognizes and celebrates 50 of the most influential people in the museum sector. 
•  Ron Bunt to Executive Vice President: With over 40 years of diversified experience as a lighting designer, technical director, and project manager, Bunt brings a wealth of expertise to JRA. His practical business orientation, combined with a unique theatrical flair, have allowed him to successfully undertake a wide variety of attraction and cultural projects, including Heartsong Theater at Dollywood, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and World of Coca-Cola. In his 30 years at JRA, Bunt has served as a strong leader for JRA’s project management team and a master at coordination and negotiation of all phases of a project.  
• Chloe Hausfeld to Vice President: Hausfeld brings a unique and dynamic set of skills that have served her well in her 11 years at JRA. She provides sales and relationship management support for current and future clients, solidifying client and prospect relationships at industry tradeshows, events and symposiums around the world. Hausfeld will lead JRA’s tradeshow programming and industry relations efforts as well as business development globally, specifically in Asia and the Middle East. She is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Board of Directors and in 2017 was named IAAPA Young Professional of the Year.
• Clara Rice to Global Director, Marketing and Communications: Rice has been with JRA for 14 years. In her new role she will oversee global marketing for RWS Entertainment Group, JRA and Binder Casting. She specializes in digital marketing, branding, SEO/SMO management, strategic planning, writing and content creation. Rice previously served as the Associate Executive Director of the two-time Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University. She is currently serving her second term on the Themed Entertainment Association’s International Board of Directors.