LOS ANGELES — Succession at the Walt Disney Company became clearer on Thursday as Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Disney’s theme park operation, beat out a rival to become the entertainment conglomerate’s No. 2 executive. The move makes him the favorite to succeed Robert A. Iger as Disney’s chief executive.
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Mr. Staggs joined Disney in 1990 as a manager of strategic planning and advanced through the ranks to become chief financial officer in 1998. Mr. Iger in 2009 switched the roles of Mr. Staggs and Mr. Rasulo, who had been running the theme park division, setting up a race — though never explicitly confirmed by Disney — for the future control of the company.
