Member Spotlight

Deb Hill
F&B and Merchandise Proprietor

Blizzard Beach/Walt Disn ey World

Featured in World Waterpark Magazine, September 2024

WHAT IS YOUR EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? 
I attended Georgia State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management. I have spent the bulk of my career in F&B at Walt Disney World working in Quick Service, Table Service, Room Service, Dinner Shows and Catering. 

WHAT CERTIFICATION OR LICENSING DO YOU HAVE? 
I have my Certification for Food Safety Management. I have passed the Introductory Sommelier Examination. 

WHAT HONORS, AWARDS OR SPECIAL RECOGNITION HAVE YOU ACHIEVED? 
In my time with Walt Disney World, I have received both the Partners in Excellence award as well as the Legacy Award. Nominations for both awards come directly from your Leaders, Peers, and employees so extremely humbling to be thought of in that way. 

WHAT MADE YOU GO INTO THIS FIELD? 
From my very first job in a grocery store to a short stint with the Marriott, I have always been in customer service in the F&B industry. When I first came to Walt Disney World on a College Program internship, I was immediately placed in a Resort F&B location and my career started growing from that point. I chose this field because I feel in my element when surrounded by my wonderful team in a fast-paced environment. 

WHAT ASPECT OF THE WATERPARK INDUSTRY DO YOU LIKE BEST? 
I love the environment of a Water Park, especially the guests who are on vacation and have spent their other days frantically trying to accomplish all there is to do outside of the Water Park. When they come into the Water Park, they can have a day to just chill out and rest. I also like the seasonality and the ability to reflect on what is working and what isn’t while having the time to make changes to better the business. Finally, I like the family feel of the Water Park staff. We are not siloed but instead work as one team, helping each other regardless if we are recreation, merchandise, F&B or maintenance. Know- ing that an entire team is there for you creates a great work environment. 

WHO HAS MOST INSPIRED YOU IN YOUR CAREER? 
My first Leader at Walt Disney World inspired me the most. I saw in her the leader I wanted to be. A leader that cared deeply about her team, constant open-door policy, committed to pursuing an excellent experience for both our guests and employees, willing to do any job necessary to propel the operation forward, she led by example. She gave me the confidence I needed to pursue leadership, encouraging me when I needed it but also giving me some tough feedback when needed. Her mentorship in my early years right out of college put me on the leadership path and in a job I look forward to doing every day. 

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GRE ATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR WATERPARK CAREER? 
In 2016 I was asked to oversee the merchandise department as well as F&B. Learning a discipline from the bottom up is much easier than from the top down. I had grown up in F&B doing almost every possible job and task repeatedly. This gave me great confidence in running an F&B operation. I had never worked in Merchandise. I don’t even like to shop! Coming in as the Proprietor knowing nothing was a challenge. However, I had great support from the merchandise team and from my leader. While it took me longer to master certain facets of the operation because it was all new to me, I took my time, asked questions, watched, listened, and learned. The best decision I ever made was to choose to work for a company that would not put me in a position to fail. Instead, I was completely set up for success as long as I was willing to do the work. Today I couldn’t be happier working in both operations. It is energizing to try to accomplish the goals of both areas as well as overcome the unique challenges in each area. 

WHAT BOOKS OR PUBLICATIONS DO YOU RELY ON MOST FOR INSPIRATION OR MOTIVATION? 
Our Chef always shares The Gazette with us. It shows us current trends, recipes, and seasonal selections. Towards the end of each year I look for the upcoming year’s trend predictions in food and technology. Forbes does a great job with those details. WWA is of course a great resource. I think the best inspiration comes from visiting other locations. I recently was skiing in Colorado and was amazed at a small kitchen at the very top of the ski mountain only accessible by a ski lift. If you were hungry this was your only choice. They could have served something simple like hot dogs and made money. However, they were serving amazing rice bowls and Ramen Noodles on china plates. That to me is inspiring and makes me want to up our game. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? 
By far it is the team members I work with on every level. I often tell people that I have worked 32 years for a company I love in a state I never wanted to live in. I always thought I would live out west as the mountain scene matches my personality much more than the beach scene. However, I am still here. It is because, since day one, I felt a part of a close-knit work family created by a culture of caring and respecting each other while striving for the best guest experience possible. 

WHAT CAREER OR BUSINESS WOULD YOU CONSIDER IF YOU WERE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN? 
I would be a Physical Therapist. I have been in physical therapy as a patient for one ailment or the other since I was 18. The idea of helping someone recover from an injury and get moving again would be a very rewarding job. 

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH THE WWA? 
I first got involved in 2015 when I joined the Waterparks at Walt Disney World. I have had the opportunity to travel to two different conventions as well as take part in the online opportunities. More recently, the WWA invited me to be on the F&B committee and I am thrilled to be getting to know the other committee members and learn from their expertise and experiences. •