• Home
  • |
  • Blog
  • |
  • Lee Cockerell: From Banquet Waiter to Disney CEO – A Journey of Perseverance and Success /Ep 2952
Click on ▶ to Listen (11:56)
Powered by the Simple Podcast Press Player

About Lee Cockerell

Lee Cockerell is a retired Executive Vice President of Operations for the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. He held this position for ten years, overseeing an impressive portfolio of operations. His responsibilities included managing 20 resort hotels with over 24,000 guest rooms, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 5 golf courses, a shopping village,...

…a nighttime entertainment complex, a sports and recreation center, and numerous support operations.

Career Journey

Lee began his Disney career in July 1990 as the Director of Food and Beverage and Quality Assurance for Disneyland Paris hotels. Before Disney, he gained extensive hospitality experience during his 17 years in executive roles at Marriott Corporation and 8 years at Hilton Hotels.

Entrepreneurial and Nonprofit Work

Today, Lee runs his own consulting, seminar, and speaking business, Lee Cockerell, LLC, specializing in leadership, management, and customer service. Additionally, he has dedicated six years to the Heart of Florida United Way Board, serving as Chairman, Campaign Chairman for Central Florida, and a member of the Executive Committee.

Community and Educational Contributions

Lee has actively contributed to various boards and organizations:

  • Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY (Board of Trustees).
  • Production and Operations Management Society (Board of Directors).
  • Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Chairman, appointed by Governor Jeb Bush).
  • Creative Ambassador for Oklahoma, assisting with leadership and business development (appointed by Governor Brad Henry).
  • Board of Advisors for Oklahoma State University School of Hospitality and Tourism, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality, and Rollins College Department of Business.

These roles underscore his commitment to improving both community and educational initiatives.

Awards and Recognitions

One of Lee’s proudest achievements is being named Best Grandfather of the Year for 23 consecutive years by his grandchildren: Jullian, Margot, and Tristan.

Published Works

Lee is the author of several acclaimed books on leadership, management, and customer service. Many universities and the U.S. military use these works as textbooks:

  • Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies From a Life At Disney (available in 18 languages).
  • The Customer Rules: 39 Essential Rules to Deliver Sensational Service (available in 13 languages).
  • Time Management Magic: How to Get More Done Every Day.
  • Career Magic: How to Stay on Track to Achieve a Stellar Career.

He also co-authored A-Game Magic: Introduction to Business 101 for SUNY Suffolk County Community College.

Podcast: Creating Disney Magic

In addition to his books, Lee hosts the Creating Disney Magic podcast. This weekly 15-minute show provides valuable insights into leadership, management, and customer service. You can tune in via iTunes, Stitcher Radio, iHeart Radio, or at LeeCockerell.com.

Personal Life

Lee and his wife Priscilla live in Orlando, Florida. He enjoys teaching seminars on leadership and service excellence, traveling, dining out, and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

For more information, visit LeeCockerell.com.

 

Previous Episode 403 (2016)

Related Posts

Chi Odogwu helps corporations, thought leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs position themselves as the leading authorities in their industries /Ep2623

Chi Odogwu- Chi Odogwu is the founder of Odogwu Media Group., a podcast marketing agency that helps corporations, thought leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs position themselves as the leading authorities in their industries. He is the author of the upcoming book “Podcasting For Corporations: The ultimate guide to building an engaging branded podcast that helps your

Read More

Henrik de Gyor: The 9-Podcast System: Automating Content Creation for Maximum Impact /Ep 3098

About Henrik de GyorHenrik de Gyor is a trusted Digital Asset Management (DAM) Consultant at Another DAM Consultancy. He helps clients by offering guidance, support, and expert advice tailored to their needs.Over the years, Henrik has worked across a variety of industries, including advertising, automotive, construction, education,… …finance, journalism, manufacturing, marketing, media, retail, and technology.

Read More

Bill Barnett: on Smarter Minds: The Power of Trust, Collaboration & Sustainable Leadership /Ep3829

About Bill BarnettBill Barnett’s distinguished career encompasses the entertainment and communications sectors, with significant achievements in television, film, radio, and digital technologies. With a track record as CEO and President of over a dozen companies, Bill possesses deep insights into the psychology of business networking,… …the art of strategic relationship-building, and the nuances of effective

Read More

Sterling Snow, VP of Marketing at Divvy-an expense management platform

Sterling Snow   Sterling Snow is the VP of Marketing at Divvy, an expense management platform built to eliminate the headache of end-of-month reporting. The company has been growing rapidly, in fact, the headcount has quadrupled to 140 in under 11 months and they’ve secured $57m in funding. By integrating real-time tracking for every business

Read More

1685:Sree Sreenivasan is a leading social and digital media consultant…

Sree Sreenivasan- ABOUT SREE: Sree Sreenivasan is a leading social and digital media consultant, working with nonprofits, startups and companies around the world. He has served as Chief Digital Officer of New York City, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Columbia University (where he was a full-time professor of journalism for 20+ years).  In 2015,

Read More

Candice L Davis helps entrepreneurs and experts write books to share their message and grow their platform /Ep2751

  Candice L Davis helps entrepreneurs and experts write books to share their message and grow their platform /Ep2751Previous Episode 973 Candice L Davis helps entrepreneurs and experts write books to share their message and grow their platform. She believes every single person—including you—has a story worth telling and k nowledge someone else is waiting to discover in

Read More

Engel Jones

I am a podcaster who has now had over 2900 recorded podcast conversations, plus 349 live interviews in 12 weeks, while driving through the 48 states of the US plus the eastern and western side of Canada.

View Comments