Alum Shares How CSUF Helped Launch His Career in Theme Park Entertainment

Cal State Fullerton’s College of Communications welcomed back Tom Mehrmann, president and chief operating officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences, Pacific Rim, as a special guest speaker for the dean’s list students’ luncheon. For Mehrmann, the visit was both professional and deeply personal. It marked his first time back on campus in over 40 years, where he and his wife both began their Titan journeys.

Mehrmann’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. What began in 1976 as a cleaning job at Knott’s Berry Farm has evolved into an international career spanning nearly five decades. Today, he oversees three major Universal parks — Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, and the recently opened Universal Beijing Resort.

Along the way, he has held leadership positions around the world. At Ocean Park Hong Kong, where he served as chief executive for 13 years, Mehrmann led a redevelopment that broke attendance records and earned the park Asia’s first-ever Liseberg Applause Award, one of the highest honors in the attractions industry.

At Six Flags, he managed the transformation of Marine World in San Francisco and later designed, built and opened Warner Brothers Movie World Madrid, a massive undertaking that put him at the forefront of global theme park development.

Most recently, as president and general manager of Universal Beijing Resort, he oversaw the resort’s design, construction, grand opening and daily operations, a project that cemented his reputation as one of the most accomplished leaders in the field.

Mehrmann credits CSUF as a foundation for his journey. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at CSUF before pursuing advanced studies in theme park management at Cornell University through the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Speaking to students, Mehrmann shared leadership insights from his book “Taming the Mouse.” His advice included:

• Lead with purpose, not position. Inspire and empower others rather than relying on titles.
• Stay adaptable. Embrace change as an opportunity, not an obstacle.
• Prioritize relationships. Collaboration and lifting others up are keys to sustainable success.

He also urged students to embrace chances when they appear.

“Opportunities don’t make reservations,” said Mehrmann, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to unexpected possibilities that may open the door to transformative experiences.

In addition to his leadership lessons, Mehrmann is committed to supporting the next generation of industry professionals. He donates all proceeds from “Taming the Mouse” to the IAAPA Foundation Scholarship for students interested in pursuing careers in the entertainment industry. The IAAPA Foundation matches his contributions, further expanding the scholarship’s impact. Students can learn more about this opportunity on the College of Communications scholarships page.

“Tom inspired our dean’s list students by his honesty, humility and practical wisdom,” said Jason Shepard, dean of the College of Communications. “He highlighted the power of resilience and vision, but also reminded students that even the most global of careers can trace their roots back to Titan pride.”