Originally Posted By jmuboy From the Richmond Times Dispatch in Richmond, VA: VA Commonwealth University, the largest university in Virginia, names business school dean Ed Grier takes office March 8 after being chosen in a national search by VCU. By Karin Kapsidelis Published: February 9, 2010 Updated: February 9, 2010 ยป 0 Comments | Post a Comment A retired top executive of the Walt Disney Co. has been named the new dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business. Ed Grier said the collaborative leadership skills he learned during 29 years with Disney will translate well to his new job. But he said he also will bring "a willingness to learn" about academia when he starts work March 8. He credits shepherding his three sons through college -- his youngest is at Stanford University -- with his interest in stepping into the academic world. Grier retired in October as president of Disneyland Resort, including the park and resort facilities, in California. He had held that position since 2006. <a href="http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/VCUU09_20100208-220406/323015/" target="_blank">http://www2.timesdispatch.com
Originally Posted By Admin <a href="http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/VCUU09_20100208-220406/323015/" target="_blank">http://www2.timesdispatch.com/.../323015/</a>
Originally Posted By oc_dean Interesting how his career (along with Cynthia's and Paul's) took a dramatic turn for something much different than an entertainment co.
Originally Posted By jmuboy LOL Westsider. I work as an HR person at VCU. Would love to pick his brain. But yeah, short lived retirement.
Originally Posted By believe >>>>>>>>>>Interesting how his career (along with Cynthia's and Paul's) took a dramatic turn for something much different than an entertainment co. <<<<<<<<<< Probably had a conflict of interest clause in his contract that would not allow him to work at a competitor for a couple years. Otherwise, he could get sued or lose his retirement benefits.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Actually, Paul and Cynthia returned to their previous career paths in retail.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Here's a novel idea - How about hire presidents for the DLR who actually come from Entertainment backgrounds... or have an affinity for the creative/arts areas. It might help!
Originally Posted By believe How about have 2 presidents - one who's creative, and the other, analytical. Like a Walt and Roy, or Eisner and Wells team. It is a good balance. Those are the golden eras of Disney.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Here's a novel idea - How about hire presidents for the DLR who actually come from Entertainment backgrounds... or have an affinity for the creative/arts areas. It might help!<< This is Corporate America we're talking about here. They care about only one thing: cutting costs.
Originally Posted By oc_dean And we see where that got DL in the Harris/Pressler years. Including a death on BTMR on account of cost cutting.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby <<How about hire presidents for the DLR who actually come from Entertainment backgrounds... or have an affinity for the creative/arts areas. It might help!>> It might help what? Unless the answer is "the bottom line," don't waste your breath...
Originally Posted By oc_dean If you don't have an interest in the theme park industry .. then the business just gets treated like any other business, and suffers. And we've seen what two people from retail backgrounds did to the park.
Originally Posted By believe >>>Including a death on BTMR on account of cost cutting.<<< Don't forget the Columbia death. That was due to inadequate training because training was reduced because of cost cutting. And maybe even the Roger Rabbit tragedy...
Originally Posted By monorailblue Re post #6: non-competition clauses are generally void (= legal nullity and unenforceable) in California. Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements, however, are alive and well, so you can get much of the same bite with a different bit of bark.
