Learn what goes into creating ‘Disney magic’ at the Memorial Union
Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney World Resort addresses the crowd at the Professional Development Center, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., April 8, 2016. The author’s presentation about keys to becoming a great leader was the first of three events in the 45th Force Support Squadron’s Leadership Speaker Series.
January 29, 2019
Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort, will be speaking about hospitality and management Thursday in the Memorial Union.
Cockerell’s lecture titled, “Creating Disney Magic: Lessons in Leadership, Management, and Customer Service,” will be at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall.
Cockerell has had several executive positions in hospitality, management, entertainment and customer service excellence.
Before becoming the Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort, Cockerell was a college drop out and climbed up the ranks for Hilton Hotels for eight years and the Marriott Corporation for 17 years, according to his website.
While working for Walt Disney World Resort for about a decade, Cockerell managed 40,000 cast members.
Cockerell’s most lasting impact on the Walt Disney World Resort was his creation of Disney Great Leader Strategies and is used to train nearly 7,000 leaders at the resort, according to his website.
Cockerell was also responsible for managing the operations of 20 resort hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and other Disney owned facilities.
Cockerell is also the author of many books, his titles include, “Creating Magic,” “Career Magic,” “Time Management Magic” and “The Customer Rules.”
The Golden Chain Award and the Excellence in Production Operations Management and Leadership are a select few of the awards Cockerell has received, according to his official website.
The lecture is part of the 2018-19 Helen LeBaron Endowed Chair Lecture Series and is hosted by the Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management.
The lecture is cosponsored by the College of Human Sciences, the Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management, and the Committee on Lectures funded by Student Government.
