Ed Grier to Replace Ouimet

[Sarangel]

All I could find so far. It's from Reuters:

LOS ANGELES, July 25 (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday named parks division veteran Ed Grier as president of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

Grier, 51, recently oversaw operations at Tokyo Disney Resort. He replaces Matt Ouimet, who is leaving Disney to join Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

Disney said Grier's replacement as executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan will be named at a later date. Grier joined Disney in 1981, and has held positions at Disney resorts in Florida and Paris.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I don't know anything about Ed Grier, but the fact that he's coming from the Tokyo Disney Resort should be good news for the Disneyland Resort. Based on Ed Grier's expereince in Tokyo, I hope he will build on the excellent improvements that Matt Ouimet brought to Disneyland.

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting Toyko Disneyland, just before Tokyo DisneySea opened. My observation was that Toyko Disneyland is superbly operated, with the highest standards of service, cleanliness, and maintenance of any Disney theme park I've been to.

I'm sorry to see Matt Ouimet leave Disney. I've admired his contributions to Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, and the Disneyland Resort. Clearly, he knows that running an efficient, profitable business and providing a high quality experience to guests are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the high quality experience is what makes the business successful.

I look forward to seeing what Matt Ouimet will do for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and its brands such as Sheraton and Westin.

 

[Sarangel]

Here's a little more on Grier and the whole transition, courtesy of MiceAge:

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2006--Ed Grier, a 25-year Disney (NYSEIS) veteran who most recently oversaw the company's operations of Tokyo Disney Resort, has been named President of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., it was announced today by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo.

"Ed Grier brings an incredible depth and breadth of operations, Guest service and management experience that he has garnered over his 25 years with Disney parks around the world," said Rasulo. "Ed has the precise talent necessary to lead the Disneyland Resort into its second 50 years following the Happiest Celebration on Earth. We are pleased to welcome him back to the states - and look forward to the leadership he will provide to the park that truly started it all."

Grier, 51, will report to Al Weiss, President of Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. He replaces Matt Ouimet, who is leaving Disney to join Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Grier's replacement at Tokyo Disney Resort will be named at a later date.

"Disneyland is beloved by millions around the world - and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a special place," said Grier. "I look forward to working with the Disneyland management team and partnering with the Orange County community to ensure that our future is just as strong and bright as our past - and that Disneyland continues to make dreams come true for the millions of people who visit us each year."
"I want to thank Matt Ouimet for his years of service to Walt Disney Parks and Resorts," Rasulo said. "On behalf of my management team, we wish him the very best in his new endeavors."

Most recently, Grier served as Executive Managing Director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, where he oversaw the Disney operations for the two-park Tokyo Disney Resort and managed the day-to-day relationship with the Oriental Land Company, which operates the resort as a licensee. During his tenure in Japan, Grier was instrumental in the overall master planning of the Resort, leading the Disney team that was responsible for the addition of new attractions and entertainment spectaculars, as well as a new Cirque theatre and new Disney-branded hotel, both of which are expected to open in 2008. In addition, Grier implemented best practices from Disney destinations around the world for Guest service standards, and resort and financial operations.

Prior to his experience in Japan, Grier held executive positions at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort Paris in France. Grier served as general manager of Walt Disney World's Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios. In these positions, Grier oversaw park operations, led thousands of Cast Members and was responsible for the financial and operational performance of the parks.

In addition to his operations and management experience, Grier has held positions at Walt Disney World Resort related to finance and marketing. In the early 1990s, Grier served as a member of an expatriate team that was assigned to Paris for one year to increase awareness of the resort in European markets. While there, Grier was responsible for establishing the resort's marketing division and developing Pan-European marketing strategies.

Grier is a CPA and prior to joining The Walt Disney Company in 1981, he worked for Ernst and Young. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Duquesne University in Pennsylvania.

 

[erikthewise]

I agree with Horace that it is Disney's loss as Ouimet moves to Starwood. Hopefully he will not be averse to returning to Disney sometime in the future if the right opportunity comes up. (And in the meanwhile I hope he will see that the Swan and Dolphin are well cared for!)