Busch Gardens brings back former president amid leadership turnover

Brian Bacica is returning to lead Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, replacing Jon Vigue in the latest leadership change at the parks since parent company United Parks & Resorts announced a planned $200 million investment.

United Parks announced Bacica’s return on Thursday, saying only that Vigue has left the company. The announcement did not provide a reason for Vigue’s departure or specify his last day.

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Emails and phone calls to United Parks & Resorts were not returned. 

Vigue was the third president to lead the Tampa facilities since February 2025, following Jeff Davis and Bacica. His departure extends a period of turnover that has seen five different executives hold the presidency over roughly three years: Neal Thurman, Stewart Clark, Davis, Bacica and Vigue. Bacica’s return adds another transition to that succession.

Davis arrived from SeaWorld San Antonio in February 2025 and Bacica took over that July before moving to Legoland Florida Resort in December. Both tenures lasted about five months. Vigue’s appointment was reported in May 2026 and formally announced by United Parks on June 18. His departure also comes roughly five months after he took on the top job, and less than four months after the company’s announcement.

United Parks framed Bacica’s return as an opportunity to carry forward improvements he helped launch during his previous tenure.

“Brian was there for the beginning of this transformation and he's the right person to finish it,” Scott Maupin, chief parks operating officer for United Parks, says in the release. “He knows these parks, he knows this team and he knows exactly what needs to happen next.”

The company says the $200 million investment will bring new attractions, animal experiences, dining and entertainment to both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island.

In July, Busch Gardens described the spending as a planned five-year investment when it opened Lion & Hyena Ridge. The 38,000-square-foot habitat, which debuted July 25, houses five male lions and two spotted hyenas, with glass viewing areas, overhead bridges and interactive cave spaces. Other recent additions include Wild Oasis, a rainforest-themed family adventure area that opened in 2025.

Bacica brings more than 30 years of experience in attractions, hospitality and food and beverage, according to the release. His previous roles include leadership positions at Universal Parks & Resorts, Disneyland Resort, Six Flags Great Adventure Resort and Legoland Florida.

“Coming back was an easy decision,” Bacica says in the release. "There is nowhere else in the world like Busch Gardens, and I know what this team and these parks are capable of. We have the support and the resources and we're not going to wait. Guests are going to see and feel the difference."