Bob Rogers, founder and chair of experience design firm BRC Imagination Arts, has been elected to the board of governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Oscars), where he’ll serve alongside Hollywood greats such as Tom Hanks and Michael Mann.

Rogers was one of five first-time members elected by his industry peers to help govern the Academy. The board of governors is the academy’s equivalent of a board of directors, bearing the ultimate responsibility for and authority over the corporate management of the Academy and its general policies. The Academy’s 17 branches – Rogers joins the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch – are each represented by three governors, who may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

He takes the place of outgoing governor John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, as well as principal creative advisor to Walt Disney Imagineering.

Rogers, who is a two-time Oscar nominee for the short films he produced and directed, said: “I’ve always wanted to start a speech with the words, ‘I’d like to thank the Academy for this great honour.’”

During a career spanning over 40 years, Rogers has become recognised as a pioneer of "experience museums." He has been inducted into IAAPA’s Theme Park Hall of Fame, as well as receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the
Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).