Baha Mar President Don Robinson will retire effective September 13, the resort announced yesterday.

“I would like to thank Sarkis Izmirlian for the wonderful opportunity to be part of the Baha Mar project, especially after 33 years working for the Walt Disney Company. I have greatly enjoyed the last seven years working with him on such an iconic resort development. I am very proud of our executive team and their professionalism and dedication to both the project and to each other,” Mr. Robinson said in a statement.

“I am looking forward to starting the next phase of my life and have the utmost belief in the future of Baha Mar and especially the tourism industry in the Bahamas.”

Mr. Robinson, who turns 60 later this year, will stay connected to the project through this transition.

“With his experience with the Walt Disney Company, opening Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, Don has left an indelible mark on Baha Mar. I want to thank Don for his years of service, and wish him well on the next stage of his life. Baha Mar will continue to benefit from his foundational, visionary work well into the future,” said Sarkis Izmirlian, Chairman and CEO.

“The strongest testament of extraordinary leadership is the team one leaves behind, and Don has assembled a strong team, including an exceptional successor.”

Tom Dunlap, who currently serves as executive VP of Development and Construction, will assume the position of president, while also retaining the oversight of development and construction during the transition period.

Mr. Dunlap has been with Baha Mar for more than two years and has been responsible for the resort construction currently being on time and on budget.

Prior to his role at Baha Mar, Mr. Dunlap worked for more than 15 years in leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, where he was a senior vice president in the Imagineering Division, and later served as president of Washington, D.C., based Revolution Places Development.

Mr. Dunlap praised Mr. Robinson.

“I have worked with Don in multiple projects over our careers and it has been a genuine pleasure to benefit from his leadership in the early formation of the Baha Mar project. Don has consistently demonstrated his commitment to quality and attention to detail and has assembled a world-class team to carry the torch forward upon his retirement,” he said.

“We all wish him the best and look forward to seeing him back often to enjoy the fruits of his labour.”