Jim Lewis (Disney)
Encyclopedia
James Lewis is an executive, who was former President of the Disney Vacation Club
, the Disney Company's time-share division, and Chairman of the American Resort Development Association.
. He graduated from Indiana State University
with a BS in Accounting in 1984. He became a Certified Public Accountant
. He later earned his MBA from the Krannert School of Management
at Purdue University
in 1992.
In August 1984, Lewis began his first job as an accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers
where he quickly developed a reputation as a top-notch and versatile professional, and was rewarded with the most prestigious assignments in audit, tax, and consulting. While at PWC, Mr. Lewis passed the examination to become a Certified Public Accountant. After a short period, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
promoted James Lewis to Senior Accountant.
In September 1986, Lewis accepted a job as Manager of Internal Audit for Tokheim Corporation, a multinational company that manufactures fluid movement and measuring devices in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At Tokheim, Lewis directed all financial and operational audits; assisted senior management in the evaluation of acquisition candidates, participated in strategic planning sessions and made numerous recommendations to management; which reduced operating costs, improved operating efficiency, and reduced outside audit fees.
In November 1988, Mr. Lewis became employed by PepsiCo
in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he quickly advanced to the position of Senior Manager, Planning and Analysis. In April 1993, PepsiCo
promoted Mr. Lewis to Director, Investor Relations. During his tenure as Director, the Consumer Analyst Group of New York ranked PepsiCo.’s Investor Relations function number one in America.
In December 1994, PepsiCo
promoted Lewis to Area Vice President of Frito-Lay for the Houston, Texas and New York, New York regions. In his capacity as Area Vice President, Mr. Lewis developed regional snack food businesses for Frito-Lay as general manager and turnaround specialist. He was responsible for the sales, marketing, distribution, finance, and warehouse functions of the Company. He directed an organization of one hundred fifty-five (155) people, including fifteen (15) direct reports. Under his leadership, the businesses experienced a 13% sales increase and a 15% profit increase. The New York region went from last place (out of 22 areas) to first place during his first year as one of the general managers. His leadership team received the company’s prestigious Herman Lay Award for having the highest region score on combined revenue growth, profit growth, and product display execution.
. Jim became the General Manager of the Disney Vacation Club
(DVC) in November 2003; he was promoted to the position of President in 2006, making him one of the most senior African-Americans in the Disney Company. He received the Company's highest performance rating for 14 consecutive years.
During his tenure as President of the Disney Vacation Club, Lewis' division has expanded rapidly. When he took over, DVC had approximately 70,000 members in 2003; there were over 300,000 in 2006. The LA Times reported that the Disney Vacation Club's sales and profits more than doubled from 2003 to 2007. Lewis has overseen the expansion of his division to California with the addition of time-share rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
and to Hawaii with the forthcoming Aulani
Resort. Lewis led DVC’s first international expansion with the development of a 15,000 square foot sales center in Tokyo, Japan. Six of DVC's 12 resorts were designed and built during Lewis' tenure.
aired a piece on Lewis, honoring him as an "Influential African American" in the area of business. In April 2009, Lewis was elected Chairman of the American Resort Development Association. He also serves on the board of directors of his church.
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club is a vacation timeshare division owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. It allows buying real estate interest in a DVC resort. Disney Vacation Club's President is Claire Bilby....
, the Disney Company's time-share division, and Chairman of the American Resort Development Association.
Early career
Jim Lewis was born in Hammond, IndianaHammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....
. He graduated from Indiana State University
Indiana State University
Indiana State University is a public university located in Terre Haute, Indiana, United States.The Princeton Review has named Indiana State as one of the "Best in the Midwest" seven years running, and the College of Education's Graduate Program was recently named as a 'Top 100' by U.S...
with a BS in Accounting in 1984. He became a Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
. He later earned his MBA from the Krannert School of Management
Krannert School of Management
The Krannert School of Management is Purdue University's school of management. The school was established in 1962 as the Krannert School of Industrial Administration with a $2.7 million endowment from Herman & Ellnora Krannert....
at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in 1992.
In August 1984, Lewis began his first job as an accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
where he quickly developed a reputation as a top-notch and versatile professional, and was rewarded with the most prestigious assignments in audit, tax, and consulting. While at PWC, Mr. Lewis passed the examination to become a Certified Public Accountant. After a short period, PriceWaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
promoted James Lewis to Senior Accountant.
In September 1986, Lewis accepted a job as Manager of Internal Audit for Tokheim Corporation, a multinational company that manufactures fluid movement and measuring devices in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At Tokheim, Lewis directed all financial and operational audits; assisted senior management in the evaluation of acquisition candidates, participated in strategic planning sessions and made numerous recommendations to management; which reduced operating costs, improved operating efficiency, and reduced outside audit fees.
In November 1988, Mr. Lewis became employed by PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he quickly advanced to the position of Senior Manager, Planning and Analysis. In April 1993, PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
promoted Mr. Lewis to Director, Investor Relations. During his tenure as Director, the Consumer Analyst Group of New York ranked PepsiCo.’s Investor Relations function number one in America.
In December 1994, PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
promoted Lewis to Area Vice President of Frito-Lay for the Houston, Texas and New York, New York regions. In his capacity as Area Vice President, Mr. Lewis developed regional snack food businesses for Frito-Lay as general manager and turnaround specialist. He was responsible for the sales, marketing, distribution, finance, and warehouse functions of the Company. He directed an organization of one hundred fifty-five (155) people, including fifteen (15) direct reports. Under his leadership, the businesses experienced a 13% sales increase and a 15% profit increase. The New York region went from last place (out of 22 areas) to first place during his first year as one of the general managers. His leadership team received the company’s prestigious Herman Lay Award for having the highest region score on combined revenue growth, profit growth, and product display execution.
Career with the Walt Disney Company
Lewis began his Disney Career in 1996 as the Director of Planning and Finance for Walt Disney Attractions. He later progressed to become Senior Vice President, Business Development and Public Affairs for the Walt Disney World ResortWalt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort , is the world's most-visited entertaimental resort. Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida ; approximately southwest of Orlando, Florida, United States, the resort covers an area of and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 23 on-site themed resort hotels Walt...
. Jim became the General Manager of the Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club
Disney Vacation Club is a vacation timeshare division owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. It allows buying real estate interest in a DVC resort. Disney Vacation Club's President is Claire Bilby....
(DVC) in November 2003; he was promoted to the position of President in 2006, making him one of the most senior African-Americans in the Disney Company. He received the Company's highest performance rating for 14 consecutive years.
During his tenure as President of the Disney Vacation Club, Lewis' division has expanded rapidly. When he took over, DVC had approximately 70,000 members in 2003; there were over 300,000 in 2006. The LA Times reported that the Disney Vacation Club's sales and profits more than doubled from 2003 to 2007. Lewis has overseen the expansion of his division to California with the addition of time-share rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a AAA Four Diamond Hotel located at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Added as part of a major expansion of the Disneyland Resort in 2001, it is the resort's flagship hotel and is the first and only hotel there to have been originally built and...
and to Hawaii with the forthcoming Aulani
Aulani
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is a beachside hotel, resort and vacation destination at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina in Kapolei on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Part of the Disney Vacation Club, it is the third Disney Vacation Club Resort located outside of a Disney theme park property...
Resort. Lewis led DVC’s first international expansion with the development of a 15,000 square foot sales center in Tokyo, Japan. Six of DVC's 12 resorts were designed and built during Lewis' tenure.
Activities Outside Disney
In 2007, Lewis was named one of the ten most influential businessmen in Central Florida by the Orlando Business Journal. In 2008, The Steve Harvey Morning ShowThe Steve Harvey Morning Show
The Steve Harvey Morning Show is a nationally-syndicated radio program, featuring host Steve Harvey and a team of comedians and commentators.-Broadcast history:...
aired a piece on Lewis, honoring him as an "Influential African American" in the area of business. In April 2009, Lewis was elected Chairman of the American Resort Development Association. He also serves on the board of directors of his church.