Hospitality Veteran & Travel Entrepreneur
With over 15 years of hospitality experience, Rich has built a career rooted in service excellence, operational leadership, and a deep passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences.
His journey began at Walt Disney World through the prestigious College Program, where he worked in the heart of the Magic Kingdom and attended Disney University, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to hospitality.
After graduating college, Rich returned to Disney, taking on diverse merchandise roles including Disney Clothiers, Main Street Confections, Glow, Resort Package Delivery, and Industrial Engineering. His career evolved as he transitioned to Disney’s All-Star Music and Sports Resorts, where he held multifaceted positions in bell services, front desk operations, guest services, and guest research and billing. Rich’s expertise expanded further when he joined the Disney Cruise Line (shoreside) as a Resort Coordinator and contributed to the opening team, helping launch magical experiences at sea. He later returned to Disney Resorts as a Guest Service Manager at both Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Coronado Springs, where he led as Manager on Duty and completed advanced Disney leadership training.
After Disney, Rich brought his talents to the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, serving as Director of Front Office Operations.
His entrepreneurial spirit also led him and his wife to own and operate nightlife venues in St. Louis, blending hospitality with entertainment.
He also worked at the ski slopes in Colorado including: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, and Breckenridge.
Rich’s travel experience includes cruising with Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and The Disney Cruise Line. His travels have taken him to almost all of the 50 united states (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico, Tahiti, England, Ireland, Belize, Guatemala, and many places throughout the Caribbean.
Now, Rich is channeling his passion for travel and guest delight into a new venture: launching a vacation destination travel company. With a legacy of excellence and a vision for adventure, he’s excited to help others create magical memories around the world.
Serving Chesterfield, MO as well as Ellisville, Wildwood, Clarkson Valley, and Ballwin, plan your next vacation, cruise, or hotel stay with Chesterfield Travel.