Introduction
Robert Chapek is an American media executive and businessman who is chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company.Before becoming CEO on February 25, 2020, he was the Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.
Early life
Robert Chapek was born in 1960 to a working mother and a father who was a World War II veteran. His family went on annual trips to Walt Disney World.
Chapek graduated from Clark High School in Hammond, Indiana in 1977. He later went on to get his bachelor's degree in microbiology at Indiana University Bloomington and his Master of Business Administration Degree at Michigan State University.
Career
Chapek worked for H. J. Heinz Company in brand management and in advertising for J. Walter Thompson before joining The Walt Disney Company in 1993. Early on he worked at Buena Vista Home Entertainmentbecoming the unit's president. In July 2006, he was promoted to president of worldwide for the home video arm until November 2009. Then he was for two years president of distribution for Walt Disney Studios.
Chapek was appointed president of Disney Consumer Products in September 2011. On February 23, 2015, Chapek was named chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts effective that day to replace Thomas O. Staggs, who was promoted to Disney Company Chief operating officer earlier in the month. As part of The Walt Disney Company's March 2018 strategic reorganization, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media was merged into the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment and renamed Walt Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Parks and Resorts chairman Chapek was named chairman of this segment. In February 2020, Chapek was named chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company replacing Bob Iger, who will remain as an executive chairman until 2021. In April 2020, Chapek was elected to Walt Disney Co.'s board of directors.
Personal life
Chapek has been married to his wife Cynthia for 40 years and together they have three children and three grandchildren.