Joel Manby

Joel Manby is the new CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Herschend Family Entertainment, the largest family-owned theme park corporation in the United States. HFE creates, develops and operates entertainment, tourism and hospitality properties spanning 26 locations in ten states, including Stone Mountain Park, Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. He and his company were featured in the seventh episode of the first season of CBS's Undercover Boss. Manby also wrote Love Works about HFE's unique business culture, with all proceeds going toward the Share It Forward Foundation, the company's charitable organization which aids employees in need. SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment has named Joel Manby as its new president and CEO, effective April 7, 2015.

Manby was born and raised in Michigan. He attended Battle Creek Lakeview High School and went to college at Albion College. At Albion, Manby graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics as the valedictorian of his class and was a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist. He was elected to the Albion College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.

Upon graduating from Albion, Manby worked at General Motors and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. He was a part of the start-up team for Saturn Corporation and was instrumental in launching Saturn's innovative marketing and distribution strategy. After a few years with Saturn, Manby was promoted to CEO of Saab Automobile USA. During his four-year tenure, Saab's sales increased by 67 percent and their J.D. Power Quality Rating jumped from 30th to 5th in the industry.

While at Saab, Manby was asked to be on the board for Herschend Family Entertainment. He later became chairman and has served as the President and CEO since 2003. Manby is a strong proponent of servant leadership. His role with Herschend Family Entertainment was featured in the CBS show Undercover Boss. The overwhelming response he received afterward from people all over the world, sparked the writing of his book, Love Works. Love Works provides the framework for successful leadership through the implementation of seven principles, challenging leaders to allow integrity and faith to guide their decisions.

Manby is the permanent replacement for Jim Atchison, who resigned in December as president and CEO amid continuing attendance drops at SeaWorld’s theme parks, spurred in part by a controversial documentary related to the company’s handling of captive orcas.

Manby currently resides in suburban Atlanta with his wife and four children. He enjoys golfing, playing the piano, tennis, and spending time with his family.