Anybody know Al Weiss' background?

[hawkrn]

I know he started at WDW when he was young, but does he have a college degree? Was he an imagineer or did he just do the business side of things? Thanks

 

[shoes99]

Al Weiss, of Kissimmee, is president of Worldwide Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. He was honored with UCF’s Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1995 and inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 1999. Weiss also serves as chair of the UCF Foundation Board. Active in the community, Weiss is chair of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission and serves on the Florida Council of 100 Board of Directors, the SunTrust Bank Central Florida Board of Directors, the Orange County Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance, and the Give Kids the World Advisory Board. He received his bachelor’s degree from UCF and his master’s degree from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know he started at WDW when he was young, but does he have a college degree?

In addition to reading what shoes99 posted, also take a look at this brief Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Weiss

Was he an imagineer or did he just do the business side of things? Thanks

"Just" the business side — although I wouldn't use the word "just." It takes tremendous business skill to run a business as complex and multifaceted as the Disney parks and resorts.

 

[GrimGhost]

There was a podcast interview a few months back at the official WDW site. Weiss has worked at WDW since around 1972. He started off in cash control at the Magic Kingdom. He is steeped in Disney traditions and worked in all areas of the WDW resort. Seems like a great guy!

 

[surfer_ed]

I sent him a letter once after a bad expereince at CSR, he didn't respond so I sent him a cc of my next one that was addressed to his boss.

His assitant responded ASAP. I am not normally the letter writting type but the expereince was so bad and after several attempts to get the issues resolved at the resort level and no one cared I decided to take it yup the ladder.

His assitant was awesome and the issue was cleared up. Since then I have been back to WDW 3 tiems (although not to CSR), taken a DCL cruise and bought DVC so he (well his assistanT) restored my faith.