Walker, E. Cardon (“Card”) He served as president of Walt Disney Productions from 1971 to 1980 and chairman of the board from 1980 to 1983. He originally began with the company in 1938 delivering the mail, and worked his way up in the company in the camera and story departments, finally moving into advertising. In 1956 he was named vice president of advertising and sales, and he joined the board of directors in 1960. In 1965 he was appointed vice president of marketing. He became executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1968. It was Walker who, with Donn Tatum, ably led the company after Roy O. Disney’s death, and who, in 1975, announced plans to commence with Walt’s plans for EPCOT. He was elected president in 1971 and became chief executive officer in 1976. In this capacity, he oversaw its design and construction of EPCOT. In 1980 he was named chairman of the board. He retired in 1983 after supervising the opening of EPCOT Center, Tokyo Disneyland, and the launch of The Disney Channel. He remained on the company’s board of directors until 1999, qualifying for his 50-year service award in 1988. He received the Disney Legend award in 1993.
