Randy Garfield

Mentor

An accomplished and celebrated business leader with extensive experience in marketing, sales, strategic planning and leadership development, Randy served as President of Walt Disney Travel Company and EVP of Worldwide Sales and Travel Operations for Disney Destinations for over 20 years. He played a significant role in the largest period of expansion in the history of the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts segment—which grew from $4.5B to $15.1B during his tenure.—and helped create and lead a host of new business ventures for Disney, including the launch and subsequent fleet expansions of Disney Cruise Line, the opening of six new theme parks and 27 new resort hotels, and the development of new international resort destinations in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Randy also led The Disney Institute, which provides training and management consulting services to businesses around the globe.

Before joining Disney, Randy spent almost eight years with Universal Studios where he served as Vice President of Sales at Universal Studios Hollywood before being promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing for Universal Studios Florida—which he helped to successfully launch and then expand to a destination resort. Previous positions include Regional Vice President of Sales for Royal Viking cruise line and a variety of operations, sales, and marketing roles within TWA.

Randy has deep insight into the powerful changes sweeping the global economy and has helped numerous organizations outside of the travel and tourism sector adapt and transform the way they operate within a changing environment. Consulting engagements have ranged from working with the healthcare industry to reinvent its approach to patient service, helping automotive manufacturers transform their sales and service process, and assisting the National Football League with customer service at multiple Super Bowls.

In recognition of his numerous accomplishments, Randy was inducted into the US Travel Industry Hall of Leaders in 2013, sharing the honor with such notable past inductees as Walt Disney, Isadore Sharp (the founder of Four Seasons Hotels) and Bill Marriott.

Randy currently serves on the Board of Directors for Destination Canada, the U.S. Travel Association, Ardent Leisure, and Rocky Mountaineer—where he chairs the Corporate Governance, Strategy, and Nominating Committee for the world’s largest privately held luxury railroad.

Randy attended UCLA where he studied political science and pre-law.  He and his wife Ann divide their time between homes in Central Florida and Stratford Ontario.