(Washington D.C.) – The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) reached a professional development milestone this week as the 500th vacation ownership industry professional earned the industry’s highest designation. Sponsored by the ARDA International Foundation’s education programming, the professional designations include the Associate Resort Professional (ARP) and Registered Resort Professional (RRP). The program promotes professional awareness, enhances workplace performance, and fosters self-esteem among professionals of the vacation ownership industry. A total of 521 industry professionals are now honored with the RRP and ARP designations.

“Participation in educational programs of the ARDA International Foundation indicates that a company and its team of vacation ownership professionals strive for the highest standard of industry knowledge, ethics, and professionalism,” said ARDA President Howard Nusbaum. “Each year, as more of our talented professionals earn the RRP designation, the expectations and standards of excellence within the industry are raised that much higher, translating to improved quality and innovation in the products, services, and experiences we offer vacation owners.”

The RRP designation is given to those industry leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to high ethical and professional standards through long-term participation in educational and industry-related activities. Prerequisites include active ARDA Advantage membership, a minimum of five years of full-time industry employment, and a total of 10 education credits. Candidates must also pass the ARDA Qualification Test (AQT), which examines a person’s knowledge of the industry, including the ARDA Code of Standards & Ethics and the laws affecting the industry. Credits for the RRP program are earned through participation in educational and industry-related activities, professional tenure in the vacation ownership industry, the receipt of industry awards, formal education and certification by accredited institutions of higher learning, participation in industry workshops, seminars and self-study courses, and by writing articles for Developments, the industry magazine published by ARDA.

The following 43 professionals have now been awarded the Registered Resort Professional (RRP) designation: Howard A. Bendell, Thomas R. Bolen, Patrick Connolly, Bryan D. Coy, Sandra Yartin DePoy, Michelle DuChamp, Michael A. Dudick, Gregory R. Eure, Bradd C. Faxon, Jay C. Finley III, Ilese Flamm, George M. Friedman, W. John Funk, Stuart K. Furman, Andrew Gennuso, Randy J. Goodhope, Jeffrey Ingram, Renee Jacquard-Behringer, Curtis A. Knipe, Kim Robert Kreiger, Mark W. LaClair, Mark LaMonaca, Stephany A. Madsen, Jonathan V. Mallows, Nico F. March, Andrew T. Marcus, David P. McEnery, Michael C. Millisor, Robert A. Millisor, Howard C. Nusbaum, Adrienne L. Riley, Brian Rock, Frank Rogan, Michael E. Rowley, David C. Sampson, Paul W. Savage, Maggie J. Schumacher, David P. Shively, Michael J. Smith, Kerry E. Stebbins, A. David Stroeve, Vicki L. Tashjian and Marshall Upjohn.

The following 12 professionals received the Associate Resort Professional (ARP) designation: William F. Beeman, Ellen Devine, Sherry Eggers, Will Horton, Kimberly Johnston, Catherine Lacey, Jodi Ligon, Travis Pugh, Carl Rash, Terrence J. Roese, Chantal A. Rotondo, Leslie Ell Smith. A step in the process towards earning RRP designation, the ARP designation recognizes accomplishments by individuals with at least two years industry expereince.

The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) conducts research and develops education programming for the timeshare industry. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).

Lou Ann Burney
202-371-6700
ARDA