Bluegreen Vacations Corporation Announces Raymond S. Lopez As New CFO Following the Retirement of Anthony M. Puelo

Bluegreen Vacation Corporation’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, Anthony M. Puelo has just announced his retirement effective September 30, 2019. Puelo will stay with the company in a consulting role as an Advisor to the President and CEO, and Raymond S. Lopez has been appointed to the vacant position.

Puelo has been a part of Bluegreen Vacations for nearly 22 years, starting his career as Chief Accounting Officer in 1997 through April 2005. From here, he moved to be the company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer until August 2006, and then Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer from August 2005 until September 2019. In addition to these achievements, he has also served as the President of Bluegreen Treasury Services since 2010 and as the Chairman of the Executive Committee from 2015 to 2017. Currently, Puelo is a Trustee with the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), an Advisory Board Member with the Florida Institute of Chief Financial Officers and is a Young Presidents’ Organization member.

Bluegreen Vacations President and CEO Shawn B. Pearson spoke about Puelo and his contributions to the company:

“Tony has been an integral part of the leadership of Bluegreen throughout his long career. We have appreciated his contributions to our success, including raising over $3.3 billion of financing through the various lending relationships [he] has built over the years and the Term Securitization program he has led, helping the Company successfully navigate the ‘Great Recession’, as well as helping lead our 2017 initial public offering. I am extremely happy that he will continue to be a resource to our Company in his new consulting role.”

Tony Puelo took a moment to talk about his career and transition:

“I have enjoyed my time at Bluegreen Vacations and being a part of this amazing team. I’d like to thank the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, my Bluegreen Treasury Services team, and our lenders and other stakeholders for their support throughout my career. I am excited to continue serving the Company and Shawn in my consulting role as we move forward.”

The Board of Directors at Bluegreen Vacations has appointed Raymond S. Lopez as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, effective September 30, 2019. Lopez will keep his current role as Executive VP and CFO of BBX Capital Corporation, the owner of 90.3% of Bluegreen Vacation’s common stock.

Before joining BBX, Lopez served as the company’s Controller from 2004-2005 and then Chief Accounting Officer from 2005-2015. He is a Certified Public Accountant currently serving as the Co-Chairperson of the ARDA Finance Committee and was named “Chief Financial Officer of the Year” by the South Florida Business Journal in 2018.

Pearson was excited to discuss Lopez as the new CFO:

“Ray steps in as Bluegreen’s Chief Financial Officer with a thorough understanding of our business, lending relationships and strategic initiatives. Through his over 10 years of experience in financial leadership at Bluegreen as well as through his oversight role as the CFO of BBX during the past four years, he will hit the ground running. I look forward to continuing to work with Ray in his new role.”

To learn more about Bluegreen Vacations Corporation or their vacation ownership options, please visit their official website.