The board of directors of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has earmarked industry veteran Greg Hale as future chairman.

Hale, vice president and chief safety officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide, will be IAAPA's second vice chairman in 2015 and first vice chairman in 2016, before leading the association as chairman of the board in 2017.

"Greg Hale is passionate about the global attractions industry and about IAAPA," said Bob Rippy, chairman of the IAAPA governance committee that is responsible for nominating the second vice chairman to the board of directors.

"His industry knowledge combined with his proven track record of leadership on safety-related issues and other complex industry matters make him an ideal second vice chairman for IAAPA."

A 26-year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, Hale joined Walt Disney World in 1988 as manager of electrical and electronics engineering, ride and show engineering in 1989. He was named director of facilities and attractions regulatory compliance in 1995 and promoted to vice president of design, engineering and regulatory compliance in 1999.

In 2002, he was promoted to vice president and chief safety officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and leads a global team of ride design, operations and maintenance professionals that keep Disney on the leading edge of theme park safety, accessibility for guests with disabilities and technology advancements.

Hale holds 63 patents around the world that have contributed to numerous innovations and inventions in the amusement industry.