WASHINGTON, Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club, a growing vacation ownership division of The Walt Disney Company, has been elected Chairman of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the national trade association representing the vacation ownership industry.

“ARDA and the vacation ownership industry are fortunate to have Jim Lewis’ leadership during this particularly challenging time in our history,” said Howard C. Nusbaum, RRP, ARDA’s president and CEO. “Jim’s passion for the product and in-depth knowledge of the industry puts ARDA in very capable hands at a time when the industry needs to work together. His personal integrity and commitment to industry excellence makes him the right leader at the right time.”

Since 1991, Disney Vacation Club has been a growing vacation ownership business which includes eight themed Disney Vacation Club Resorts, more than 400,000 individual members from approximately 100 countries and every U.S. state, and more than 2,000 employees (known as Cast Members). Jim has led Disney Vacation Club to more than double its business since 2003.

As part of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide Operations Steering Committee, Jim helps develop the vision and strategy for this global business, managing performance expectations, technology application, product-investment levels, competitive positioning, expansion, and talent development.

“It is both an honor and a humbling responsibility to have been chosen by my peers to lead the Association at this unique time. I am confident that, together, we will work through the present economic obstacles and continue to provide the excellent family vacation experiences that millions of Americans want and deserve,” said Jim Lewis.

Lewis is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds an MBA from the Krannert School of Business at Purdue University, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Lewis serves on the board of Rejoice in the Lord Ministries and represents Disney on the board of Florida Hospital. He recently served as Chairman of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce and in 2007 was named as one of the ten most influential businessmen in Central Florida by the Orlando Business Journal. A leader on the ARDA Board of Directors since 2004, Lewis will serve as chairman for two years.

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 over 1,000 corporate 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