ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld CEO Sergio “Serge” Rivera has resigned after five months on the job, the company announced Monday.

  • SeaWorld CEO Sergio Rivera resigns after 5 months
  • Rivera cited "disagreements" with board as reason for departure
  • SeaWorld recently furloughed over 90% of its employees

Rivera, who assumed the role in November, informed the company of his decision to resign last week.

According to an SEC filing released Monday, Rivera, 57, said “disagreements over the Board’s involvement in the decision making at the company” was the reason for his departure. Rivera’s predecessor, former Carnival executive Gus Antorcha, left SeaWorld for similar reasons after just seven months on the job.

Rivera, who previously served at CEO of ILG Inc’s Vacation Ownership segment, would not receive any severance benefits, SeaWorld said in the SEC filing.

In his place, SeaWorld’s chief financial officer, Marc Swanson, will serve as interim CEO. Swanson has worked at the company for 20 years.

SeaWorld’s chief accounting officer, Elizabeth C. Gulacsy, will assume the role of interim chief financial officer, while chief strategy officer Walter Bogumil will serve as the company’s chief operating officer.

The leadership changes at SeaWorld come as the company’s parks are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Late last month, SeaWorld announced that it had furloughed more than 90% of its employees amid the park closures.

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