Esmond Cardon “Card” Walker held key positions in Walt Disney Productions during the Mineral King Project. He joined the company in 1938. His first job was delivering the mail. He worked his way up in the camera and story departments before moving into advertising. In 1956 he became vice president of advertising and sales, and he joined the board of directors in 1960. In 1965 he was appointed vice president of marketing. He became executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1968. He was elected president in 1971 and became chief executive officer in 1976. In 1980 he was named chairman of the board. He retired in 1983 after supervising the opening of EPCOT Center, Tokyo Disneyland, and the launch of The Disney Channel. He remained on the company’s board of directors until 1999, qualifying for his 50-year service award in 1988. He received the Disney Legend Award in 1993.