Question: Bran Ferren held what position at a company responsible for the creation, design, and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide?
Context: Disney Global Security is a division of The Walt Disney Company responsible for workplace and guest safety, security and loss prevention at Disney resorts, theme parks, studios, corporate offices and Disney Cruise Line.  This division also defines policies and programs for Disney's online presence and consumer products. Pirates of the Caribbean is a Disney media franchise encompassing numerous theme park attractions, a series of films, and spin-off novels, as well as a number of related video games and other media publications.  The franchise originated with the Pirates of the Caribbean theme ride attraction, which opened at Disneyland in 1967 and was one of the last Disney theme park attractions overseen by Walt Disney.  Disney based the ride on pirate legends and folklore.  As of October 2016, "Pirates of the Caribbean" attractions can be found at five Disney theme parks.  Their related films have grossed over US$ 3.7 billion worldwide as of January 2015, putting the film franchise 11th in the list of all-time highest grossing franchises and film series. Dapper Day is a semi-annual gathering that takes place at the Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando (spring and fall), and Paris (autumn only).  The event is described as fashionable outings to Disney Parks that are intended to celebrate the tradition of "stepping out in style".  First held in February 2011 at the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, as a small function organized by Justin Jorgensen, it has since been held with additional related attractions, including the Dapper Day Expo, Folly: the official Dapper Day after-party, and the Dapper Day car show.  "Dapper Day" is a registered trademark and Dapper Day events are not associated with The Walt Disney Company. Applied Minds, LLC.  is an American company founded in 2000 by ex-Disney Imagineers and Bran Ferren, Danny Hillis, and Douglas Carlston that provides technology, design, R&D, and consulting services to multiple firms, including General Motors, Intel, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Herman Miller, Harris Corporation, Sony, and Sun MicroSystems.  The company's headquarters are in Burbank, California, and it maintains offices in New York and Washington DC. Virtual Magic Kingdom, also known as VMK, was a massively multiplayer online game developed by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Sulake Corporation and published by The Walt Disney Company.  It was a virtual representation of the Disneyland style theme parks, containing areas and minigames which were based on real park scenery and attractions.  It was launched as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth promotional campaign to commemorate fifty years of Disney theme parks. Disney's PhotoPass is a professional photography service offered at Disney theme parks, water parks, and resorts.  Photographers positioned at locations in the theme parks, dining events at the resorts, and at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney Springs or inside Disneyland Resort are linked to a free card containing a unique serial number.  Guests can view or purchase PhotoPass pictures at locations in the parks (generally near the park entrance) or online by registering the card's number. The SmarTruck II was designed and engineered by Bran Ferren of Applied Minds for the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's National Automotive Center (NAC) from a modified Chevrolet Silverado.  The 6-wheeled (3-axle) truck was designed to use a quick change modular system to utilize many types of equipment on the same base vehicle such as a guided missile launcher with a 3 km range, a launcher for a remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle, power distribution, lighting, etc.  The stated mission of the vehicle is counter-terrorism for the United States Department of Homeland Security, but could be easily adapted for other uses; medical response, emergency power and lighting, unlimited modularity. The Greater Lynchburg Transit Company is the non-profit, publicly owned company responsible for providing bus service for Lynchburg, Virginia, since its creation in 1974.  The GLTC Board of Directors sets and is responsible for both the general policies as well as the selection of the management company responsible for operation the service.  The Board is composed of nine-members that are appointed by the Lynchburg City Council.  As of 2015, First Transit is responsible for the operation of the network, and their subsidiary, Central Virginia Transit Management Company is oversees the actual employment of the GLTC's bus drivers, mechanics, and other staff. Bran Ferren (born January 16, 1953), is an American technologist, artist, architectural designer, vehicle designer, engineer, lighting and sound designer, visual effects artist, scientist, lecturer, photographer, entrepreneur, and a prolific inventor.  Ferren is the former President of Research and Development of Walt Disney Imagineering as well as founder of Associates & Ferren, a multidisciplinary engineering and design firm acquired in 1993 by Disney.  He is Chief Creative Officer of Applied Minds, which he co-founded in 2000 with Danny Hillis.  Apple's "pinch-to-zoom" patent, which features prominently in its legal battle with Samsung, was invalidated by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2013 based on a 2005 patent by Ferren and Hillis for multi-touch gestures. Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc. is the research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company, responsible for the creation, design, and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions worldwide.  Founded by Walt Disney to oversee the production of Disneyland, it was originally known as Walt Disney, Inc. then WED Enterprises, from the initials meaning "Walter Elias Disney", the company co-founder's full name.
Answer: President of Research and Development