THE PIONEER

Edwin H. 'Ed' McMullen, Sr., RRP
Senior Partner

Recognized as one of the industry's most prolific visionaries, Ed McMullen, Sr. has been a leading force in the resort development and vacation ownership industry since 1977 when he founded the American Resorts Group of Companies.

He and his team have pioneered some of the most innovative design, marketing, sales, financing and operational systems employed by the resort industry worldwide. Under his guidance, The American Resorts Group merged with Marriott Corporation in 1984 to form Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. (MORI), bringing the first international hospitality company into the vacation ownership business. From 1984 to 1991, Ed served as Executive Vice President of MORI and was responsible for strategic planning, product development, marketing, and sales. During this time, MORI developed resorts in the U.S., the Bahamas, and Spain, while becoming the world's leader in vacation ownership sales. MORI's (known today as Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation) leadership position continues presently with vacation ownership and private residence clubs. Annual sales exceed $1.75 billion dollars today.

In 1992 Ed, and his company E.H. McMullen and Associates, along with the Mariner Group formed Hilton Grand Vacations Company, a joint venture with Hilton Hotels Corporation. From 1992 to 1996, he served as Managing Director of Hilton Grand Vacations Company (HGVC) and developed a system of seventeen resorts. E.H. McMullen & Associates sold its interest in HGVC to Hilton Hotels Corp. in June 1996.

In 1997 Ed and E.H. McMullen and Associates created a partnership with Shell Vacations LLC. With Ed as Managing Director, Shell Vacations developed mixed-use resorts in Hawaii, California, Arizona, and Canada. E.H. McMullen and Associates sold its interest in Shell Vacations in August 2000.

 

From 2001- 2004, E.H. McMullen and Associates, was engaged by the Ginn companies to aid in their marketing and sales planning for its master planned communities including the design creation of Fractional and Timeshare Club products.

From 2004 through 2009, E.H. McMullen and Associates partnered with Legendary, Inc. to develop the Emerald Grande at Harbor Walk Village in Destin, FL. It is a luxury mixed use festival market place complete with themed retail, a marina, residential condominiums and shared ownership resort. (See case study)..

Since late 2009 through 2015, E.H. McMullen & Associates has been rebranded as McMullen Development focusing on three products including (1) Mixed Use Resort Lifestyle Real Estate (2) Fractional, Private Residence Club and Vacation Ownership Projects (3) Active Adult Lifestyle Retirement Communities) and Intergenerational University Affiliated Retirement Communities to be developed under Wisdom Ventures, LLC, a McMullen subsidiary.

Ed is Past Chairman of the American Resort Development Assn. (ARDA), and was a Founding Director and Vice President of the ARDA International Research foundation. He is active in the leadership of the American Hotel and Lodging Assn. and is a 35 year member of the Urban Land Institute, serving on its Recreational Development Council and is also past Vice Chair of the International Resort Committee. Ed is a board member of the African Collection, Ltd., a safari and lodging company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, with resorts in 26 game parks throughout Africa. He is a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences and events.

Among Ed's numerous national and international awards is ARDA's coveted "Lifetime Achievement Award," ARDA's highest recognition, in honor of his long distinguished service and accomplishments in the resort development industry.