Mike Hightower

Mike Hightower is an executive advisor at Falcon’s Beyond. In this role, he provides strategic guidance for Falcon’s theme park and entertainment ventures, particularly in the development and integration of innovative ride and show systems. Mike also advises the business on potential acquisitions, assists with client relations, and helps enhance Falcon’s network within the industry by building new relationships with key influential stakeholders and potential clients and partners that can help contribute to the continued growth and success of the company. 

Mike began his career as an engineering project manager in the aerospace and defense contracting industry for Eastport International (now Oceaneering Entertainment Systems), where he delivered the sharks for the Universal Studios Florida JAWS II attraction.  

In 1995, Mike joined Universal Parks and Resorts, where he spent the next 28 years of his career shaping the themed entertainment industry and championing innovative parks, lands, attractions, and experiences from concept through opening for world-class theme parks across the globe.  

Mike’s leadership was a driving force behind the innovative design, engineering, and ambitious expansion of Universal’s destinations and properties, including the opening of Universal’s Islands of Adventure, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley, as well as Universal Studios Japan. Mike played an integral role in the development process and was involved in all aspects of planning, design, and delivery of Universal theme parks, resorts, restaurant and retail venues, and new ventures ranging from Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Spain, Dubai, Singapore, and Beijing. 

In early 2022, Mike transitioned out of his role as senior vice president, executive project director at Universal to become president of Universal Creative, a role he held until April of 2023.  

Mike received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University and Stanford University, respectively.