2009 SPEAKERSMODERATORS

is the founder of The Tornante Company, a media and entertainment investment company, and a trustee of The Aspen Institute. In 1984, Eisner became chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company and, over 21 years, transformed it from a film and theme park company with $3 billion in enterprise value to a global media empire valued at $60 billion. Eisner began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network from No. 3 to No. 1 in primetime, daytime, and children’s television with landmark shows like “Happy Days” and “Barney Miller,” as well as the acclaimed miniseries Roots. In 1977, he became president of Paramount Pictures, leading the studio to No. 1 in box office and profitability in both theatrical movies and network TV production.