Founder of Marriott Vacations Worldwide to Retire

Robert (Bob) A. Miller, Marriott Vacations Worldwide executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s International region, is retiring, according to an announcement made this week by the company. Miller, who began his career in 1978 with the co-founding of American Resorts Corporation, which was purchased by Marriott International, Inc. in 1984, will end his remarkable career in the timeshare and hospitality industry at the end of this year. Set to take on Miller’s responsibilities for the International region is Lee Cunningham, a 30-year Marriott veteran who currently serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for North America and the Caribbean regions.

Back in the 1980s, when Marriott acquired Bob Miller’s company, American Resorts Corporation, the door was opened for Marriott as the first branded hospitality provider in the vacation ownership industry. Miller’s American Resorts Corporation was distinguished by its Monarch at Sea Pines Resort development at Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. In 1982 and 1983, the Monarch Resort earned four national awards for excellence in design, hospitality, and sales and marketing, including receiving the National Nurserymen’s Award presented by Nancy Reagan in the Rose Garden at the White House—it’s no wonder Marriott was attracted to both American Resorts Corporation and its successful founder.

As Stephen P. Weisz, president and chief executive officer for Marriott Vacations Worldwide, explains, “Bob leaves an impressive legacy. His leadership in the early formation of the industry helped structure important legislation and consumer regulations that created a platform on which the industry would grow. We will miss his wise counsel but his contributions toward the success of our company will never be forgotten.”

Bob Miller served as the president and chief operating officer of Marriott timeshares until 1996, and grew the business from $5.4 million to nearly $258 million while also leading the Marriott Golf business.

Additionally, Miller:

• Served as a member of the Board of Directors for Interval International for more than five years.
• Served ARDA, the American Resort Development Association, first as Treasurer and later as Chairman.
• Is a current member of the ARDA Executive Committee, member of the ARDA Board of Directors, and Chairman of the ARDA International Foundation.
• Was the 1991 ARDA Resort Industry Executive of the Year.
• And the 2005 recipient of ARDA’s ACE Lifetime Achievement Award.

To read more about the current strong positioning of Marriott timeshare, see The Timeshare Authority blog Marriott Vacations Worldwide on the Rise.