James Scheidel

Born in Hollywood, California, Jim Scheidel is a distinguished architect and industry leader with a passion for innovative design in the leisure and entertainment sector. He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon and has since played a pivotal role in shaping some of the most iconic experiences in themed entertainment.

As a key figure in the industry, Jim built Cuningham Group into one of the most respected architectural firms in the leisure and entertainment space. Under his leadership, the firm delivered groundbreaking projects such as Back to the Future – The Ride, Waterworld: A Live Sea War Spectacular, and Soarin’ Over California. His team’s work has been recognized with 16 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) Awards, and Jim himself was honored with the Walt Disney Company Strategic Partner Award on behalf of Cuningham Group.

Beyond his architectural achievements, Jim is a champion of sustainability in themed entertainment. He founded the Themed Entertainment Sustainability Summit (TESS), a premier forum where industry leaders share best practices in sustainable design, construction, and operations. Since its inception, TESS has been hosted in prestigious locations, including Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale, Universal Studios in Hollywood and Florida, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and IAAPA Asia events in Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Through his visionary leadership and commitment to excellence, Jim Scheidel continues to leave a lasting impact on the future of themed entertainment and sustainable design.