Jim Lewis

For more than a decade, Jim Lewis served in executive-level positions with The Walt Disney Company. After spending almost 10 years with PepsiCo Inc., Lewis entered the Disney organization as Director of Planning and Finance for Walt Disney Attractions, Inc. The division consisted of Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland, and Walt Disney World. Jim Lewis created long- and short-term plans for the organizations while formulating valuation and financial performance models.

Recognized for his business acumen, Jim Lewis obtained a promotion to Vice President of Finance. As the number-two executive in Walt Disney's Finance division, Lewis contributed to the success of the company's five-year plan. His department served as a prototype for all other business units within the corporation.

Subsequently, Disney selected Jim Lewis as Vice President of Business Development. One of his major duties involved finding ways to increase the number of international visitors at Walt Disney World. Lewis accomplished this by making shows and attractions more accessible to people with limited fluency in English, organizing a Minority Business Development program, and enlightening people around the world about the benefits of using the Walt Disney World resort as a convention center.

When Jim Lewis became Senior Vice President of Business Development and Public Affairs, his responsibilities expanded to lobbying on behalf of Disney to local, state, and federal governments. By explaining the impact of Disney on Florida's economy, he helped the industry to obtain $22 million from the state to promote tourism. He managed Disney's divisions in corporate alliance, government relations, international business development, and minority business development while handling media relations and arranging corporate partnership deals.

In 2003, Jim Lewis was appointed President of Disney Vacation Club (DVC), one of the biggest real estate and vacation ownership businesses in the world. DVC includes 11 resorts and more than 470,000 members from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. DVC garners almost $800 million in revenue, maintaining a presence in multiple countries. Under Lewis’ leadership, DVC grew for eight consecutive years. The company achieved record profits in five of those years.