Gene Columbus

Storyteller – Author – Trainer – Lecturer – Playwright – College Professor – Job Interview Expert – Executive Coach – Career Counselor

As an actor, dancer and singer in stage productions, films and television, Gene delivers compelling motivational speaking presentations that make his audience laugh, cry and most of all remember. Stories with a moral meant to make you a better person, partner, and parent plus, a better employer, employee, and member of your community.

It’s more than just a story, it’s a lifestyle that must be learned, it’s the attention to detail from the job interview to managing special events and people, all of which require planning and implementation.

It’s time to change your life and allow Gene to coach and mentor you to help make the world around you a better place so everyone can enjoy the fruits of your effort.

The Gene Columbus Story

DYNAMIC DISNEY EXPERIENCE

Gene began with a ten-year performing career working in motion pictures, television and live stage productions, but as a natural leader, he moved into management and was quickly recruited by the Disney organization.

In 1970 he joined the Disney management team and traveled around the world with a large-scale stage arena production of “Disney On Parade.” In 1977 he accepted a position in Orlando, Florida as Manager of Entertainment in the Magic Kingdom.

Over the years, Gene has served in many leadership roles with the Disney Company, managing various departments and taking part in the production of shows, ceremonies and events for Walt Disney World. He wrote, directed, cast, produced, managed and performed for numerous productions. Gene spent nearly four decades in leadership roles focusing on Live Show Production, Special Events, interviewing, evaluating, coaching, casting and mentoring thousands of entertainment professionals.

Through the years Gene became best known for interviewing, evaluating and developing thousands of Disney candidates for jobs and internships. He has guided, coached and mentored many of the key leaders within Disney Entertainment.

Through the years Gene has been a popular speaker on Career Development and Leaderships for Disney Company members and Disney clients as well as being a popular speaker at colleges and universities. He has also been a popular speaker on Disney Heritage, sharing his highlights of his 38 year career, leadership style within the company, and his opportunity to meet Walt Disney.

Gene retired from the Disney Organization in 2008 to assume the role of Executive Director of the Orlando Repertory Theatre with a focus on Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA).

NON-PROFIT LEADERSHIP

With more than eleven years with Gene at the helm as Executive Director of Orlando Repertory Theatre, the organization managed to double the operation budget and expand the educational program in addition to community outreach. Through his steering, Gene partnered Orlando REP with University of Central Florida, Orange County Public School, The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, The Helios Foundation, and others. Sponsors during this time included Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, Massey Services, OUC, The Shubert Foundation, The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Avant Health, Orlando Regional Health Center and others.

HIGHER EDUCATION & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Gene is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Florida for more than 12 years, and Past Chair of the Professional Advisory Board. He serves the Theatre Department teaching Stage Management, as well as Entertainment Management for the UCF Rosen School of Hospitality Management. His teaching has earned him the Standing Ovation Award, and he continues to be highly rated by students for his motivating teaching style and ability to challenge them to be the best. Most importantly, he has prepared them and helped them find good positions in the industry. Gene believes that “a teacher is only successful if the students are successful!” Many of his students are very successful working in the entertainment industry and stay in contact with him, often sharing how they use – daily – the things they learned about relationships in his class.

With the publication of The Complete Guide to Careers in Special Events (John Wiley & Sons 2010), there is now a book that provides a guide to assist job seekers with proven process of how to be successful in the interview. For more information, click here.

Special Events Hall of Fame

Gene was inducted into the Events Solutions “Special Events Hall of Fame” in 2005 as well as having been honored by various organizations including “Volunteer of the Year” by United Arts of Central Florida.