George Kalogridis

George Kalogridis
Kalogridis at the Disneyland Resort 55th Anniversary celebration
Born	George Anthony Kalogridis (1953-11-19) November 19, 1953 (age 70) Winter Haven, Florida
Education	Sociology [1]
Alma mater	University of Central Florida
Occupation(s)	President, Disney Segment Development and Enrichment
Partner	Andy Hardy

George Anthony Kalogridis (born November 19, 1953) is an American corporate executive. Kalogridis is the former president of the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. ^{[2] [3]} Kalogridis became president of Disney Segment Development and Enrichment for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in November 2019. ^[4]

Early life and education

Kalogridis was raised in Winter Haven, and is of Greek ancestry; the Greek spelling of his name is Γιώργος Καλογρίδης. He attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with a degree in sociology ^[5] in 1976. ^[6]

Career

Kalogridis' window at the Main Street, U.S.A. Chamber of Commerce at the Magic Kingdom

Kalogridis has a long history with The Walt Disney Company. He has worked with the company almost exclusively for 40 years. Kalogridis first started working for Disney while he was in college. He bussed tables at Disney's Contemporary Resort when the Walt Disney World Resort first opened in 1971.

Kalogridis quickly moved up the ladder in The Walt Disney Company, becoming vice president of operations at Epcot, senior vice president at the Disneyland Resort from 2000 to 2002, vice president at the Disney Reservation Center in Orlando from 2002 to 2006, chief operating officer (COO) at Disneyland Paris from 2006 to 2009, and president of the Disneyland Resort from 2009 to 2013. ^[7]

Kalogridis was named president of The Walt Disney World Resort on January 9, 2013. ^[3]

In 2019, he was promoted to president, Disney Segment Development and Enrichment. In this new position, he is responsible for developing strategic and operational business initiatives while developing and scaling best practices across sites and lines of business. He also leads the Disney Institute, and serves as strategic advisor to park operators. ^[8]

In September of 2021, Kalogridis was honored with a window on Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom, one of the top honors for Disney Parks cast members. ^{[9] [10]}

Reception

In 1999, a customer wrote a letter to Kalogridis, then vice president of Epcot, voicing his dissatisfaction with a rehab of a ride. Kalogridis personally called him at home. "I was floored," the customer said. "He must have been hearing from hundreds of people. For him to make the rounds, I was really impressed by that." ^[11]

While working as the manager of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, a hostess stated that she wished that the grass was dry, since the hotel was going to host a convention on the lawn soon. Kalogridis took some employees and towels with him and dried the lawn off with towels. "That’s the attention to detail – and how he’ll do everything possible for guests – that George is famous for," Meg Crofton, then president of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, said. ^[12]

Personal life

Kalogridis lives with his partner Andy Hardy who also works at Disney. ^{[13] [14]}

His favorite character is Eeyore, and his favorite movie is Mary Poppins . ^[12]

References

1. "George A. Kalogridis – Biography" (Press release). Walt Disney World.
2. "Key Leadership Changes Announced at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts" (Press release). Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2013. Effective February 1, 2013
3. "Walt Disney World names new president George Kalogridis". cfnews13.com. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
4. Bevil, Dewayne; Fuller, Austin (September 25, 2019). "Walt Disney World Resort replaces George Kalogridis with new president Josh D'Amaro". Orlando Sentinel.
5. Bilbao, Richard (January 9, 2013). "Meet new Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis". Orlando Business Journal. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
6. Kalogridis, George (Spring 2018). "Countless Achievements". Impact. University of Central Florida. p. 6. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
7. Tully, Sarah. "Bio of George Kalogridis, new Disneyland Resort president" Archived January 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , The Orange County Register , 12 October 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
8. "Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Announces New Leadership for Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort". dpep.disney.com. Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
9. Vahle, Jeff (September 17, 2021). "A Window on an Amazing Career". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on September 18, 2021.
10. Bevil, Dewayne (September 14, 2021). "Disney honors George Kalogridis with Main Street window" . Orlando Sentinel.
11. "New Disneyland Resort president gives inside look". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
12. Tully, Sarah. "New Disneyland Resort president gives inside look" Archived January 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , The Orange County Register , 15 March 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
13. "George Kalogridis Becomes Walt Disney World's First Openly Gay President". Huffington Post. February 5, 2013. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
14. "George Kalogridis is the new president of Florida's Walt Disney World Resort". pappaspost.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2013. Retrieved June 8, 2013.