Robert D. Cardona, born in Southern California on March 7th, 1930, is an animator, director, producer, and writer whom had his main success is England. His most recognized work was with his longest Partner, David Mitton. He was the producer of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the co-creator of TUGS. He worked on the British shows "Crime of Passion", "Emmerdale", "Fraud Squad", "The Flaxton Boys", "The Four Feathers", and "Thriller". He was the Co-CEO of Clearwater Features. In 1990 he left Thomas to live in Canada. There he directed "Theodore Tugboat" and provided TUGS footage for the show "Salty's Lighthouse".