Chris Bailey, Board Member

Chris was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. As a child growing up, he always thought he would become an electrical engineer.  But that all changed during a family vacation to Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks when he was 10 years old.  The family took a detour to Anaheim, California and Disneyland; the visit literally changed everything. Entertainment and the theme park industry captured his imagination, and became his focus going forward.  Graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in Radio-Television-Film, Chris spent 46 years building, opening and operating theme parks and attractions in multiple states, while enjoying a side career as an air personality and concert promoter at radio stations in Texas and Arkansas. Coming full circle, Chris fulfilled a dream by becoming a professional leader and finally retiring from the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney Company, where he held numerous Resort-wide Operations Leadership positions. Having been involved in everything from roller coasters to retail stores, Chris’ extensive business experience spans revenue and expense management, budgeting and accounting operations, training and safety and public relations. 

Having included a minor in History in his degree from the University of Missouri, Chris has had a life long interest in our country’s history and western heritage and strongly believes we should actively communicate this rich cultural foundation so that it is never forgotten. After having visited family in Prescott for many years, Chris and his wife Cyndy relocated to Prescott in 2019.  Chris is both excited and honored to be a part of the mission of the Western Heritage Foundation, promoting and preserving Prescott’s western heritage through activities, education and the Western Heritage Center itself. 

​Our western heritage continues to be a large part of what makes Prescott and Yavapai County such a great place to live, work and visit.