Ed Grier Explained

Ed Grier
Birth Date:15 February 1955[1]
Birth Place:Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation:Dean, Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business
Nationality:American
Education:BA
Alma Mater:Duquesne University

Edward Arthur Grier (born February 15, 1955) is the dean of the Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business. Before coming to SCU, he was the dean at VCU, and before that he was an executive at The Walt Disney Company.

Education and early career

He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A certified public accountant, Grier worked for Ernst & Young.

Career at Disney

Before transitioning to higher ed, Grier spent 29 years with the Walt Disney Company.[2] He joined The Walt Disney Company in 1981 as senior auditor at Walt Disney World in Florida.[3]

Grier held executive positions at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and At the Florida resort, he served as general manager for the operation lines of business at the Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios theme parks.

In the early 1990s, Grier served as a member of an expatriate team that was assigned to Disneyland Resort Paris in France for one year. While there, Grier was establishing the resort's marketing division and developing Pan-European marketing strategies.[4]

Grier served as executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan, where he supervised Disney operations for the Tokyo Disney Resort and the day-to-day relationship with the Oriental Land Company, which owns the property.

Grier joined Disneyland Resort in July 2006 (replacing Matt Ouimet). He reported to Al Weiss, president of operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. As president of Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, properties under his purview included: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park theme parks, the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, and the Downtown Disney retail, dining and entertainment district.

Grier announced his retirement from the company on October 5, 2009.[5]

Career at VCU Business School

Grier was named dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business on February 8, 2010. On May 2, 2017, he took on an interim role as university’s "vice president for development and alumni relations.".[6] He would serve in that role until the hiring of the new vice president, which was expected in the Summer of 2017.

On April 6, 2021, Grier announced that he would be leaving VCU in June of 2021 to become the new dean of the business school at Santa Clara University.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ed Grier biography. 2021-12-30. Richmond Times-Dispatch. 9 February 2010 . en.
  2. Web site: Ed Grier (Bio page) . VCU School of Business . 19 December 2018 . Before coming to VCU, Grier spent 29 years with the Walt Disney Company..
  3. News: Tully . Sarah . A quick look at Ed Grier, the retiring Disneyland president . 19 December 2018 . The Orange County Register . October 5, 2009 . Disneyland Resort: Started in July 2006. Led 506-acre resort including Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, Downtown Disney and three hotels Walt Disney Co. career: Began as senior auditor at Walt Disney World in Florida in 1981. Served in other executive positions at Walt Disney World, including Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios, and Disneyland Resort Paris. Worked as executive managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan before move to Disneyland Resort.
  4. News: Disney Veteran Ed Grier Named President of the Disneyland Resort . 19 December 2018 . Business Wire . 2006-07-25 . 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..
  5. News: Disney Veteran Ed Grier Named President of the Disneyland Resort . 19 December 2018 . Business Wire . 2006-07-25 . Grier, 51, will report to Al Weiss, President of Operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. He replaces Matt Ouimet,.
  6. News: staff reports . VCU business school dean takes role as university's interim VP for development and alumni relations . 19 December 2018 . Richmond times Dispatch.