UNIVERSAL NAMES THEME PARK HEAD.

Byline: Dave McNary Daily News Staff Writer

Universal Studios announced Thursday it has named veteran entertainment consultant Cathy A. Nichols to oversee its theme park operations.

Nichols was appointed chairwoman and chief executive officer of the studio's Recreation Group, a post that had been vacant since November when Ron Bension departed. Bension was one of the few top executives from the period before Seagram Co. bought control of MCA in 1995.

Nichols was the first female senior partner at McKinsey & Co., one of the nation's leading consulting firms and a major training ground for top corporate executives. During her 22-year tenure, she specialized in retail expansion, global strategy, marketing, branding and new product development, and had headed the firm's Southwestern Consumer and Entertainment practice.

The appointment of Nichols had been rumored in recent days following several months of speculation that Executive Vice President Howard Weitzman would take over the theme-park operations or that Seagram would name an executive from its Tropicana beverage group to the post. Other names mentioned were Disney theme park executive Tom Ellrod and Marvel Entertainment Group chief Scott Sassa.

Nichols will manage Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Florida, set for a major expansion with a Universal City Florida entertainment complex opening next year and the 800-acre Islands of Adventure theme park expected to debut in 1999. She will also oversee plans for Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, scheduled to open in 2001, and all future theme park expansion.

Universal also announced that Tom Williams was promoted to president and chief executive officer for Universal City Florida. Williams previously served as president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios Florida.

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Photo: Cathy A. Nichols

Promotion was rumored