Jon Snoddy

Jon Snoddy is a technology expert and entrepreneur with a diverse background in entertainment and innovation. He is currently the CEO of Operative Games, a new company that aims to reinvent storytelling by combining AI-controlled characters with high-quality Hollywood writing.1

Career Highlights

Disney Experience:: Snoddy has an extensive history with Disney, where he most recently served as the head of Walt Disney Corporate R&D and the Technology groups at Disney Imagineering.1 He left Disney in February 2023 to pursue new ventures.4

Previous Roles::

• SVP of Disney Research and Walt Disney Imagineering R&D Studio Executive3
• Co-founder of Big Stage Entertainment2
• Chief Creative Officer at GameWorks (co-founded with Steven Spielberg)2
• Director and Senior Concept Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering2

Early Career:: Snoddy began his career as a recording engineer at NPR in Washington before joining Lucasfilm.1 He has also worked on various projects, including the development of Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure and founding the Disney VR Studio.13

Education

• BA in Journalism from the University of South Carolina (1979)
• AS in Electronics Engineering from Piedmont Institute of Technology2

Current Endeavors

After retiring from Disney, Snoddy has been focusing on his new venture, Operative Games. He is also an angel investor and board member for other companies.15 Additionally, he is involved with HaptX, where he serves as an investor and board member.6

Jon Snoddy is known for his innovative approach to technology and entertainment, holding over 20 patents in various areas.1 His expertise spans robotics, AI, displays, visual computing, materials, and interactive storytelling.3