Julio Badin

Julio Badin is the Executive Director of GGP Parks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he leads Gathering Place, Guthrie Green, LowDown Jazz Club, and 918 Security. He provides strategic and operational leadership across park management, live entertainment, private events, and public safety, advancing a mission of unifying community through vibrant, inclusive, world class experiences.

Under his leadership, these Tulsa organizations deliver dynamic programming across nationally recognized park spaces, cultural venues, event facilities, and nightlife environments. Together they serve millions of guests each year with a strong commitment to safety, stewardship, and exceptional guest experience.

Prior to joining GGP Parks, Badin served as Senior Vice President of Customer Experience at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. He led experience strategy and operations across all five terminals and championed the airport’s Gate Area of the Future initiative, reimagining the passenger experience through design, technology, and operational integration.

He previously spent 18 years in senior leadership roles with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. During his tenure, he led teams across attractions, retail, food and beverage, parking and transportation, guest services, ticketing operations, and custodial services. Over the course of his career there, he worked in nearly every major operational division, building deep expertise in large-scale, high-volume environments and driving strong operational and business results.

Badin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kalamazoo College, a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan, and an Executive MBA from Chapman University.