ORLANDO, Fla. – After 33 years with the company, Universal Parks & Resorts chairman and CEO Tom Williams will retire next year, Universal announced Tuesday.

Williams, who helped with the opening of Universal Studios Florida, will officially retire March 16.

After opening Universal Studios Florida, Williams became the park's president in 1990. In 1999, he was promoted to char of Universal's Parks & Resorts and has held the position ever since.

During his time as chair, Williams oversaw the expansion of Universal parks around the world, including the addition of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando and Super Nintendo World in Japan.

"Tom's journey has been the journey of the Parks itself," said Brian Roberts, chair and CEO of Universal's parent company Comcast, in a statement. "His vision and leadership has made parks a vital and vibrant business and has helped define modern theme park entertainment for us and the entire industry."

Current vice chair of the division Mark Woodbury has been named as his replacement and will take over the role effective Jan. 1.

Woodbury, who also serves as president of Universal Creative, has been with the company more than 30 years and was also instrumental in many of the expansion projects at the parks.

"Mark has unique and essential insight into everything that makes Universal Parks & Resort successful," NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell said in a statement. "Beyond his ability to create incredibly innovative guest experiences, he has tremendous experience with strategy, financials, stewardship of the Universal Parks brand and so much more. He has also been a key part of planning for the future of Universal Parks & Resorts. All this make him perfect for the role."

The future includes a new theme park in Orlando called Epic Universe, which is expected to have multiple themed lands, including a Super Nintendo World.