Lee Cockerell retired as the Executive Vice President of Operations for the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, a position he held for ten years. His responsibilities encompassed a diverse mix of operations, which included 20 resort hotels with over 24,000 Guest rooms, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 5 golf courses, a shopping village & nighttime entertainment complex, a sports & recreation complex, and the ancillary operations support functions
Lee joined the Disney organization in July 1990 as Director of Food and Beverage and Quality Assurance for the Disneyland Paris hotels. Prior to joining the Walt Disney World Co., he spent seventeen years in various executive positions with the Marriott Corporation and eight years with Hilton Hotels.
Today Lee is the founder of his consulting, seminar and speaking business, Lee Cockerell, LLC specializing in leadership, management and customer service.
Lee has served on the Heart of Florida United Way Board for six years including being the Chairman of the Board and a member of the Executive Committee and as Campaign Chairman for Central Florida.
Lee served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY; a member of the Board of Directors of the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS) and in 2005 Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service where he served as the Chairman of the Board.
In 2008 Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma named Lee as a Creative Ambassador to assist the state in leadership and business development.
Lee serves on the Oklahoma State University Board of Advisers for the School of Hospitality and Tourism, the Gregory Elias Entertainment Management Advisory Board for the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality and for the Advisory Board Rollins College Department of Business
Lee has been voted Best Grandfather of the year for 23 straight years by his three grandchildren, Jullian, Margot and Tristan.
Lee is the author of four books on Leadership, Management and Customer Service and the Co-Author for a text book for the State University of New York (SUNY), Suffolk County Community College.
Books:
- Creating Magic…10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies From a Life At Disney (18 Languages)
- The Customer Rules…The 39 Essential Rules to Deliver Sensational Service (13 languages)
- ·Time Management Magic…How to Get More Done Every Day
- Career Magic…How to Stay on Track to Achieve a Stellar Career
- A-Game Magic…Introduction to Business 101 (SUNY) Suffolk County Community College
These books are being used as text books and required reading by many colleges and universities and by the US Military.
Podcast:
Creating Disney Magic weekly 15 minute podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, iHeart Radio or at www.LeeCockerell.com
Lee and his wife Priscilla reside in Orlando, Florida. Lee enjoys teaching leadership, management and service excellence seminars, traveling, dining out and most of all spending time with his three grandchildren, Jullian, Margot, and Tristan.
For more information go to: www.LeeCockerell.com
Previous Episode 403 (2016)