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fter Hurricane Wilma in 2005, I was among the
employees who moved to the Member-Services
Center for two weeks because the corporate offices
were without power. Quarters were tight as we filled cubicles that the
staff there so graciously gave up. But instead of getting in one another’s
way, we experienced a heightened camaraderie and unity. We came
together each day, working to relocate members whose exchanges
were affected by the storm and to keep the business operating at full
capacity. By all measures, the company’s performance was exceptional
in the aftermath of Wilma, and I believe that it was due in no small part
to the can-do spirit of a close-knit staff.
Not-so-Random
While this memory stands out as one of the strongest examples of
the drive and dedication among Interval employees, it is by no means
an isolated occurrence. For nearly 35 years, I’ve witnessed these not-
so-random acts of commitment, not just in times that demanded
uncommon effort, but on a day-to-day basis.
As Interval International observes its 40th anniversary this year, I’ve
thought a lot about what has made the company successful. Of course,
a great idea begat by entrepreneurial minds served as a critical founda-
tion. Devotion to key tenets of doing business — providing quality over
quantity, substance over size — played its part, as did solid products
and programming.
But bottom line, what makes Interval great is its people.
Keeping Good Company
In this issue, we recognize some individuals who’ve played a role in
shaping and steering the business on its positive track, embodying
attributes that we’ve always held dear: integrity, continuity, and
leadership.
But the employees featured in this special edition are by no means
the only ones who’ve helped nurture Interval International. They repre-
sent the nearly 1,200 employees who bring so much in terms of skill
and experience. Raul Estrada, who’s been with Interval for almost 30
years, is featured on page 42, but standing behind him is a staff 500
strong, all equally invested in serving the members.
Three employees who joined Interval before me deserve recogni-
tion for their longevity: Larry Dettelis came through the Buffalo
headquarters in 1981, and moved to Miami, eventually to head up
worldwide activity as vice president of distribution and commercial
services. Since 1980, Josephine Olaechea has been a symbol of con-
tinuity in the finance department and serves as coordinator of the
treasury today. And Pat Rasekhi, assistant vice president of member-
ship marketing, has been with Interval since 1979! (She can tell you
stories about the days when exchanges were tracked with color-
coded stickers on a large board.) These superlative team members are
truly examples of what’s best about Interval International, and I’m hon-
ored to be in their company.
Someone to Count On
And then there are those who are no longer with us. We recall co-
founders Mario Rodriguez and Tom Davis, whose vision and
entrepreneurial spirit live on today. And I remember two people in the
London office whom I grew close to when I was helping to build the
European business in the ’90s. On my credenza sits a photo of Jitu
Mehta, John Roderick, and me. Their deaths were a loss for the Interval
family and for me personally. Over the years, we’ve said goodbye to too
many people to mention — and all are greatly missed.
As I reflect on the timeline, I can’t help but remember my own early
years. Traveling around the country working toward constructive
industry regulation was both exhilarating and exhausting at the same
time. But I always knew that the people at Interval had my back. Ken
Knight, who was president and my boss at the time, believed in and
fully supported my efforts, giving me the resources to get a tough job
done.
And, of course, there were others I counted on, then — and now,
including: Jeanette Marbert, who helped me navigate this long jour-
ney; David Gilbert, who returned to guide Interval during this
important time; and Arlene Cade, my executive assistant, whose
contributions for 20 years cannot be overstated.
It comes down to this: Delivering great vacation experiences takes
more than a solid regulatory platform and state-of-the-art technology.
It takes
touch
. And I am moved to have been touched by so many out-
standing individuals over the years — those who’ve come and gone,
and those still contributing to the success of Interval International.
4
VIEWPOINT
RESORTDEVELOPER.COM
vacation industry review
APRIL – JUNE 2016
BY
Craig M. Nash
CHAIRMAN,
PRESIDENT, AND CEO
INTERVAL LEISURE GROUP
“For nearly 35 years, I’ve witnessed these
not-so-random acts of commitment, not just
in times that demanded uncommon effort,
but on a day-to-day basis.”
The Right Stuff