Our Team
Our team brings together experienced professionals in destination entertainment design, marketing, finance and operations. With decades of experience with Disney and other international brands, we have proven performance in every key aspect of the industry, from creative development to revenue optimization. Our track record extends to worldwide destinations in a dozen countries, including both new-build development and turn-around/enhancement programs for existing destinations. We understand the key components that make for a commercially successful guest experience: market intelligence; experience design; pricing & revenue optimization; ancillary product development; operations planning; budgeting and financial control systems.
Steven G. Franck (Founder & CEO) is a financier and entrepreneur.
He has served as our chief executive officer (“CEO”), secretary, treasurer, and sole Director of the Company since inception, and served in similar capacities prior to conversion from a limited liability company to a corporation. He has over 10 years of operational experience in high technology start-ups, heavy industrial manufacturing, operations, engineering and contracting. His direct start-up experience includes a venture capital backed $10 million wireless company which designed, marketed and installed mobile data systems. Products included proprietary software, transponders, and radio/computer base stations. He has another 15+ years of investing and raising capital across equity and fixed income products. He worked for 10 years at Morgan Stanley in Equity Research and High Yield/Distressed Debt Research. Mr. Franck worked at Alvarez & Marsal to lead a team that unwound $20B portfolio of credit, interest and foreign exchange derivatives after the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. He subsequently restructured banks (and their real estate portfolios) in Austria and Greece, and was selected by the IMF, ECB, EC and Greek Ministry of Finance to serve on the Hellenic Financial Services Fund (HFSF) General Council, eventually becoming the Senior Non-Executive Director (NED) and chairman of the Audit Committee. Franck’s naval service included the White House and 2,300+ hours flying patrol (P-3C) and tactical aircraft (EA-6B). He has degrees from Cornell (BS Mech. Eng.), the Naval Postgraduate School (MS Operations Research) and MIT (MS Sloan School of Management). Mr. Franck is currently a principal with MacKay-Franck Ltd, a London based special situations advisory firm seeking mandates in technology, entertainment, oil & gas, electric power generation, agribusiness, real estate, banking & finance industries across geographies from Cyprus to Myanmar.
Bob Allen (Creative Director) is the Founder and Chief Storytelling Officer of IDEAS, a media and experience design company and our valued partner.
He began his career in the entertainment industry as a musician at the age of 16 and brings more than 40 years of experience to important projects across the globe. Bob literally grew up in the theme park business as his father began at Disneyland on opening day in 1955 and, over a 33-year career, became the lead executive at Walt Disney World. After graduating from the University of Colorado in 1976 with a degree in Communication, Bob joined Disneyland and held a variety of positions through 1978 in the park's Entertainment Division. Highlights were stage management of several spectaculars, including the Super Bowl XI Half Time, and design and creative development work on Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade as well as an experimental live show to open Space Mountain.
In 1978, Bob’s team conceived, developed, and produced numerous film, tape, and multimedia materials for the Tokyo Disneyland Park. He also began work as a writer and producer with Walt Disney Imagineering on numerous attractions that would become part of EPCOT.
In 1982, after relocating to Walt Disney World, Bob became the manager of an in-house production company of forty full-time staff. During this period he directed and produced in addition to his management duties. In 1985 Bob became the Florida anchor for the production focus of the Disney-MGM Studios and was promoted to Director of Film and Tape Production. In 1991, he became Vice President of Disney Production Services, Inc. He was responsible for all facilities and services at the Disney-MGM Studios as well as the operation of Disney IDEAS (Innovation, Design, Entertainment, Art, and Storytelling), a full service Integrated Creative Content Studio. While Bob is involved with all aspects of IDEAS, his primary role is the Chief Storytelling Officer for the focusing on concept development, experience design, and branding.
A nationally recognized speaker, Bob has presented to various groups that include the U.S. Air Force, Association of Travel Marketing Executives, Allied Travel Organization, National Telecommunications Conference, and TEDx High Point to name a few.
Joni Newkirk (Market Analytics) is currently the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Insight.
She is a leading expert in the performance dynamics of consumer facing service industries, and a thought leader in the development of successful business strategies. She has over thirty years of experience leading multi-faceted organizations, managing large scale projects and excels in finding viable solutions to complex situations.
Prior to founding Integrated Insight, Joni spent 20 years with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, rising to the position of Senior Vice President of Business Insight and Improvement where she was responsible for managing and driving over $8 billion in revenue for worldwide theme parks and resorts, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney. She oversaw industry leading decision analytics and consumer insight practices within the areas of Market Research and Consumer Insights, Forecasting, Pricing, Revenue and Profit Management, and Industrial Engineering, helping lead the Parks and Resorts division to record revenue growth year after year.
During her tenure at Disney, Joni led key initiatives for new product development, operational improvement and revenue growth within existing businesses at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland and for new development underway. Included were “Magic Your Way” (pricing strategy and new products and services), “Back to the Basics” (refocus on guest service as a key differentiator) and international growth initiatives for theme parks, adventure tours and cruise line operations.
Prior to joining Disney, Joni held management positions in planning and development at both Lockheed Martin and Orlando Regional Healthcare System. She was principally responsible for developing the Certificate of Need to gain state approval for a Pediatric Open-Heart Surgery program at ORHS’ hospital for women and children. In addition, Joni has served as chair of the Travel Industry Association research committee, helping influence the overall direction and impact the association has on the travel industry as a whole. She has a BA in Statistics from the University of Florida and an MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Scott Sanders (Revenue Optimization)
Prior to Integrated Insight, Scott was Vice President of Pricing for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts where he oversaw all pricing efforts worldwide inclusive of theme park and water park admissions, room rate, transportation, merchandise, food, and beverage and many ancillary products and services such as Adventures by Disney and Disney’s Wide World of Sports. In his 20 years at Disney, Scott also led efforts for Marketing Finance where he was responsible for all long-term planning, budgeting, financial analysis and financial control processes supporting multiple business units, including a $1.2 billion travel company, a $4 million internal marketing agency, an $800 million group and convention business and a 2,000-agent call center.
David Bruder (Strategic Advisor)
David has an extensive background in corporate strategy, the technology startup world, finance, entrepreneurship and in transaction law, and joins PBDV as a Strategic Advisor, with a particular focus on overall project strategy, fundraising, financial projection and legal/regulatory oversight. He began his career as an attorney at the U.S.'s top law firms, focusing on corporate finance and mergers & acquisitions transactions. After getting his MBA, David worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, in corporate strategy at a start-up electric car manufacturer, and founded his own micro private equity acquisition firm. David has an engineering degree from Dartmouth, law degree from Columbia and MBA from Stanford.
David Exline, NCARB, AIA (Project Design Architect)
David is the principal architect and owner of Orange County, California based Exline Design & Architecture (“EDA”). EDA was founded by Mr. Exline in 1985 and, since its formation, has been actively involved in the delivery of world-class entertainment projects. With more than thirty-five years of experience, David provides design and master planning services for a wide range of developmental projects, including museums, theme parks, visitor centers, visitor attractions, and detailed exhibit design. He has played key directive roles within his industry, executing innovative entertainment concepts in both the United States and abroad. David’s approach to design and planning has facilitated involvement in numerous location based entertainment projects for clients such as Disney, Universal Studios, NASCAR, IDEAS Orlando, Spaceport America, Spaceport Sweden, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Houston Super Bowl, Bechtel, Nakheel in Dubai, and Engineering Fuji & Taisei Corporations in Japan. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree, Cum Laude, in 1981 from Kansas State University.
Dr. Debbie Blow (Director of Education)
Dr. Blow brings over 40 years of education experience to oversee the development of Space Base California’s educational programs, including an innovative fifth and sixth grade science camp, as well as multi-day Mission Academy experiences for students of all grade levels, families, and adults.
Dr. Blow served most recently as the Interim Superintendent of the Lompoc Unified School District after an 11-year tenure as Superintendent at both Orcutt Union School District on the Central Coast of California (5-years) and the Cambrian School District in San Jose, California (6-years). She has also worked as an Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Principal, Assistant Principal, and ten years as a teacher.
A native of Wyoming, Dr. Blow earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership in California at the University of La Verne. She has extensive experience in curriculum and educational development, as well as developing innovative educational programs. As a school principal, she oversaw the opening of a new facility in the Encinitas Union School District, setting the vision and direction of the school, as well as overseeing the construction of the facility. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including Administrator of the Year and Principal of the Year.
Richard Denmon (Corporate Counsel)
Mr. Denmon practices law for Carlton Fields in the areas of securities regulation and transactions; private equity and venture capital; mergers, acquisitions, and extraordinary corporate transactions; corporate governance and general corporate law; and entertainment and media law. Before joining his firm in 1989, he worked at the SEC in the Corporate Finance division for over 5 years. Mr. Denmon securities and corporate practice also forms the foundation for his work on behalf of clients in almost every segment of the entertainment and media industry, including music, film, television, video apps, theater, and literature. With a LL.M. in Entertainment and Media Law, he has represented entertainment and media companies, production companies, distributors, individual artists, investors, sponsors, and other financiers in various entertainment projects. Mr. Denmon also is experienced in areas of digital and interactive entertainment, internet applications, and advises on trademark, copyright, e-commerce, and various cyber-law issues.
Ken Switzer (Real Estate Development)
Switzer of Berkshire Hathaway’s Real Estate division has over 20 years of local coastal California experience as an agent/representative and real estate investor, working with developers, investors, and government agencies. He has consistently won annual awards for extraordinary sales achievement. A Civil Engineer from MIT, he brings a keen understanding of local economics and the governmental nuances of real estate development around the subject property. A 30-year local resident, he owns investment property in the county as well as a nearby ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Frances Romero (Land Use Planning and Permitting)
Francis brings twenty years of experience in land use planning, specific plan preparation, master planning, environmental review, public hearings, annexations, wireless telecommunication, and the oil industry. She has deep experience working as a project manager in the planning industry with experience in government relations, fundraising, public speaking, and strategic planning in both public and private sectors, including non-profits and grant management.
Greg Beard (Project Architecture Lead)
As a firm leader and director of operations, Greg has been instrumental in guiding and contributing to the growth of the Westberg White firm located in Irvine, California. With more than twenty-five years of planning and design experience for education clients, he sets the tone and direction for project programming, planning, and design. Greg’s experience and practical savvy balanced with his approachable personality plays a key role in championing Westberg White’s major initiatives.
Rick Allen (Lodging Development)
Rick has an extensive background in destination entertainment and hospitality, serving HR and executive roles in multiple operations over a 42-year career with Walt Disney World, including General Manager positions at several Disney resort hotels and EPCOT. He also served as the Director of the Resort line of business, establishing project development and operating standards for multiple Disney properties. He also served on the opening task force for Disneyland Paris. Upon his retirement from Disney, Rick has consulted with Great Wolf Lodge and a number of other destination projects.
Robert Kelley (Operations Development)
Robert spent over 16 years in executive roles in merchandise and park operations for Walt Disney World in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and numerous resorts. He developed and implemented numerous highly themed, immersive, and successful initiatives, elevating the guest experience to new levels and increasing profit and repeat visitation. He is an Inspirational, strategic, and integrity-driven executive with a track record of creating healthier top and bottom lines by overseeing efficient, optimum operations.
Organizational Structure
We are a start-up entity that is pursuing an exciting opportunity, and our organizational structure will change over the course of this thrilling venture.
