Chad Severance – Westgate Resorts

For Chad Severance, success has always been about service—serving clients, colleagues, and communities through projects that inspire wonder while staying grounded in practicality. As Senior Vice President of Development, Construction, and Engineering for Westgate Resorts, Severance brings decades of hands-on experience, global perspective, and team-building acumen to an organization known for transforming vacation experiences across the United States.

Westgate Resorts, a subsidiary of Central Florida Investments, Inc. (CFI), is a leading force in the hospitality and timeshare industries. Founded in 1982 by David Siegel, the company has grown from a modest 16-unit property in Kissimmee, Florida, into a nationwide network of luxury resorts in destinations ranging from the beaches of South Carolina to the slopes of Utah. Employing approximately 10,000 people, Westgate is now the largest privately held corporation in Central Florida. Its growth reflects a core philosophy that also defines Severance’s career: combining innovation and service to deliver experiences that endure.

Roots in craftsmanship

Before Severance ever managed multimillion-dollar projects or international teams, he was an electrician with a tool belt, wiring homes and troubleshooting problems one circuit at a time. Those early years provided more than technical knowledge—they built his foundation in humility, accountability, and attention to detail. “

When you start on the tools, you learn that every decision matters,” he said. “You’re not just building something; you’re building trust.”

That hands-on skill carried him into roles as a general contractor and custom homebuilder in the Rocky Mountains, where he specialized in cabins and luxury properties. But like many in construction, Severance faced harsh realities during the 2008 economic downturn. Rather than retreat, he pivoted. He joined Home Depot, where he focused on ensuring construction quality and operational efficiency. The experience reinforced his belief that leadership is as much about service as it is about skill.

From there, Severance’s career expanded rapidly. His adaptability and reputation for quality caught the attention of SNS Worldwide, a roller coaster manufacturer known for pushing the limits of themed entertainment design. At SNS, Severance didn’t just oversee builds—he built a project management division from scratch, creating a global framework for coordination and execution that would become one of his trademarks. Over the next several years, he worked on themed projects in 25 countries, from Asia to Europe to the United States, including the world’s largest roller coaster in Orlando.

Managing imagination and reality

That blend of creativity and pragmatism became central to Severance’s next chapter. Universal Studios hired him to establish and direct the Project Management Office (PMO) for Universal Beijing, one of the most ambitious theme park developments in the world. Working across time zones and cultures, he honed his ability to unite diverse teams under a shared vision.

“Themed development is like running a movie studio,” he said. “You have to think about every project as a story with its own set, cast, and choreography. You’re building experiences, but you also have to make sure those experiences make business sense.”

His tenure at Universal not only refined his leadership style but also gave him a clear sense of what he valued most: autonomy, creativity, and global collaboration. That clarity led to the founding of Elite International Solutions (EIS), a consultancy specializing in large-scale themed and hospitality developments. Through EIS, Severance continued advising projects across continents, connecting engineering precision with cultural awareness. Each project deepened his understanding of how to align design, technology, and human experience into cohesive, sustainable results.

Leading with vision at Westgate

When Severance joined Westgate Resorts in 2021, he saw both opportunity and challenge. The company, known for its strong family culture and entrepreneurial roots, was expanding its development portfolio and needed a scalable, disciplined approach to handle growing project complexity. Starting as Vice President of Development, he quickly implemented systems that bridged creativity and accountability. Within months, he had hired and trained new project managers, formalized workflows, and built what he describes as “a corporate environment that still feels personal.”

The results have been transformative. Today, Severance oversees $150 million in annual development activity across Central Florida Investments, Westgate’s parent company. His scope spans from hotel construction and renovation to engineering coordination and long-term capital planning.

“We’ve built a culture of collaboration,” he said. “The goal was to move from reactive to proactive—to give people the tools and trust they need to succeed.”

At the core of his leadership philosophy is team diversity. Having worked with professionals from dozens of countries, Severance views cultural variety not as a challenge but as a catalyst for innovation.

“Different perspectives make projects stronger,” he explained. “You can’t build world-class developments if everyone thinks the same way.”

His analogy for teamwork comes from his time in Europe: “The Germans and Dutch work differently. The Germans want structure and precision; the Dutch want flexibility and creativity. But when you put them together, the results are incredible.” That spirit of balance—between art and science, freedom and discipline—defines his approach to every Westgate project.

Under his leadership, Westgate’s development and engineering operations have become more cohesive and forward-looking. From redesigning construction processes to aligning budgets with creative goals, Severance has helped position the company for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive hospitality market. He also credits Westgate’s founder, David Siegel, for fostering an entrepreneurial culture that allows leaders like him to experiment, innovate, and lead decisively.

What comes next?

As much as Severance has accomplished, he sees his journey as far from over. He plans to reactivate Elite International Solutions soon, taking on new development ventures in Dubai and other global markets while continuing to advise on projects that blend entertainment and engineering.

“I’ve always loved creating experiences that make people feel something,” he said. “That’s what drives me, whether it’s a resort, a ride, or a new kind of space.”

His ambitions are balanced by personal goals that speak to his grounded nature. He dreams of retiring one day to a ranch in Montana, where he can enjoy open spaces, ski trips, and dirt biking adventures. Yet even in those reflections, his thoughts circle back to the people who’ve joined him on the journey.

“The projects matter,” he said, “but what really stays with you are the teams—the people who make the impossible possible.”

That people-first philosophy has been a throughline from his earliest days as an electrician to his executive role today. At every stage, Severance has sought not only to build structures but also to build relationships, fostering teams that can adapt, create, and deliver under pressure. His success, he says, comes from seeing leadership as service: empowering others, maintaining integrity, and always staying curious.

At Westgate Resorts, those values align perfectly with the company’s broader mission. As one of America’s most recognized names in hospitality, Westgate continues to expand its presence across premier destinations in Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Each property blends local charm with national consistency—a balance that mirrors Severance’s approach to development itself.

From luxury mountain lodges to beachfront escapes, Westgate’s portfolio reflects the same combination of ambition and authenticity that has defined Severance’s career. His role, at its heart, is about ensuring that every new resort, renovation, and guest experience tells a story worthy of the company’s legacy.

As Severance looks to the future, he remains focused on what has always guided him: collaboration, curiosity, and a service mindset.

“Experience is only valuable if you use it to help others,” he said. “Whether I’m building a resort or mentoring a project manager, my goal is the same—to make sure the next generation is ready to take things even further.”

For someone who has built roller coasters, theme parks, and global resort portfolios, it’s a fitting philosophy. After all, the best builders aren’t just constructing attractions or properties—they’re building the teams and systems that keep the ride going long after they’ve stepped away.