Published: March 17, 2007 11:55 pm         

Enid native retires from Walt Disney Entertainment Corp.

Enid native and 1967 Enid High School graduate Rich Taylor, whose late father Amert Taylor owned a filling station here many years ago, is pumping new gas into his tank.

After a meteoric rise with Walt Disney Entertainment Corp. beginning in 1981 that eventually landed him the post of vice president in charge of the entertainment, costuming and cosmetology divisions, Taylor is retiring from the media giant and moving into new areas.

“We’re just getting started,” he said about independent consulting work. He is looking to develop new entertainment experiences and special events.

He’s considering writing a book, too, that would be geared toward fast-paced executives like himself who seek balance and significance in the overwhelming pace of professional life.

“I’m sleeping better,” he said with a laugh about his retirement from Disney and devoting more time in an advisory capacity for among other things, a member of the University of Oklahoma College of Fine Arts Board of Visitors.

In 1994, the university where he received a bachelor of fine arts degree, honored him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. He later received a prestigious Regents Alumni Award.

Prior to becoming a Disney vice president, which included every responsibility imaginable such as theme park shows, special events, parades, cruise line christenings and two Super Bowl halftime shows, Taylor was a corporate director for Disneyland in Paris, where he headed the conceptual creative design and show development group.

It may be a far cry from all the glitz and glamor of Disney, but what Taylor is extremely excited about is getting together again with his 1967 EHS classmates during a 40th reunion celebration here Sept. 14-15.

“Rich did a lot of good things for our class and he’ll be recognized.” said Ron Garrison, of Enid, a classmate and reunion organizer, noting Taylor was a football player on squads that regularly competed and won state championships in addition to his performing and singing in high school.

Although he was miles away in Orlando, Fla., this past autumn, Taylor said he was thrilled following the Plainsmen rise into the ranks of greatness again with their state championship game appearance.