Ron Cook

Course Director
Entertainment Business Finance

Ron Cook received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Behavioral Management with honors from Georgia Tech, where he was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma and received the American Marketing Association Scholarship Award. Ron went on to earn his Master of Science in Psychology from California Coast University. Ron spent more than 27 years in the hotel industry, was president of Marriott’s franchise owners association, and is an honorary faculty member at Michigan State. A professional investor for the past 15 years, Ron teamed with other investors in a private equity firm and returned to Florida as CEO of a travel publishing company the group acquired and later sold. Several years ago Ron formed Cook Productions, LLC as a vehicle for his entertainment-related investments.

Kim Craft

Course Director
Global Entertainment Business Strategy

Kim Craft received Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees in Music Composition from the School of Music, DePaul University, and a Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. Kim served on the executive board of the Music & Entertainment Industry Educator’s Association, as well as the Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Committees of the Chicago Bar Association. Before moving to Florida and joining Full Sail, Kim directed the Music Business Program at DePaul University. Kim has authored a number of works, including The Webcasting Revolution is About to Begin as Soon as We Figure Out the Copyright Law (Hastings Journal of Communication & Entertainment Law).

Bill Thompson

Course Director
Mobile Marketing and Commerce

Bill Thompson attended the University of Central Florida as a National Merit Scholar where he earned an MBA and a BSBA with double majors in Finance and Management. He graduated with full honors and upon graduation was the Financial Management Society’s National Academic Achievement Recipient. Bill spent over 25 years in the financial industry working for the New York Stock Exchange as well as several Fortune 500 financial management firms. He is a musician and composer with his music distributed worldwide. Bill is a voting member of the National Academy of the Recording Arts and Sciences and casts ballots each year for the GRAMMY® awards.

Cassandra Willard

Course Director
Advanced Entertainment Law

Cassandra Willard received a Jurist Doctorate degree with a certificate in Intellectual Property from the University of Florida. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. In 2002 she was named a partner at the law firm of Franklin and Willard. Her firm represents clients in various facets of the entertainment and technology industry, from basic business setup to contracts and disputes. Prior to joining Franklin and Willard, Cassandra worked for intellectual property, First Amendment, and Internet law firms, as well as Planet Hollywood’s corporate legal department. While at Planet Hollywood, Cassandra worked with various Hollywood talents, numerous entertainment companies, addressing myriad issues relating to the individual restaurants all over the globe.