(Yicai Global) Dec. 21 -- US amusement park operator Universal Parks & Resorts has appointed Joe Hoskin as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its new Beijing theme park.

Hoskin, who speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese, was heavily involved in the recruitment and training of staff at the Beijing resort, which only opened its doors to the public in September, during his tenure as senior vice president of Human Resources International at Universal, the Orlando, Florida-based company said today.

The leadership shown by Hoskin in helping set up the Universal Beijing Resort and cultivating a great team is of enormous significance to the success of Universal Parks, said Page Thompson, president and chief operating officer of Universal Parks & Resorts International. His unique understanding of the resort will enable him to achieve future goals.

Hoskin will report to Tom Mehrmann, who has been promoted to president and COO of the Pacific Rim and in this capacity will manage Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort. Mehrmann was president of the Universal Beijing Resort and played a key role in developing and opening it.

Mehrmann’s wealth of experience in management will enable him to help Universal Parks establish the best shared mechanism regarding the practice of management and to bring an extraordinary experience to visitors, Thompson said.

Editor: Kim Taylor