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If you never knew Ed McMullen, it is important to understand that he is widely recognized as one of the timeshare industry’s most inspirational leaders. Most of today’s timeshare professionals probably indirectly owe their jobs and career to his early accomplishments within their industry.

Following a career in insurance, banking and other industries, Ed and Robert (Bob) A. Miller, founded American Resorts in 1976, developing four timeshare resorts on Hilton Head Island, S.C. At the time, timesharing was a mere blip on the real estate horizon. Ed and Bob were intrigued by the timesharing concept and had spent a year researching the product. 

American Resorts then developed four successful resorts at Sea Pines, including the nationally awarded Monarch Resort, which garnered attention from the Marriott Corporation. In 1984, Marriott purchased the assets of American Resorts, bringing the first international hospitality company into the timesharing industry with the formation of Marriott Ownership Resorts (now Marriott Vacations Worldwide), spurring the growth of the entire industry.

“Without Marriott having taken the first step into timesharing,” said Ed’s former partner Bob Miller, “the timeshare industry would be very different today.”

“Timesharing was in its infancy,” recalled Ed in an article two years ago. “We were traveling into unknown territory and taking major financial risks along the way. In the early days, everyone knew each other as we shared information to help each developer – not as competitors but as colleagues.”

As Executive VP, Ed was responsible for strategic planning, product development, and marketing and sales from 1984 to 1990, when he completed his contract with Marriott.

With a relentless drive to build something new, Ed’s next venture was launched in November 1991 with the formation of Hilton Grand Vacations Company with Hilton Hotels Corporation and a joint venture between Ed and sons Ed, Jr., Malcolm and the Mariner Group as Ed’s SECOND hospitality-branded timeshare company – was born. In 1996, Hilton Hotels Corp. bought out the partners’ interests in HGVC. By this time, timesharing enjoyed strong consumer acceptance. Ed had played a significant role in making this happen.

During the ensuing years and operating as McMullen Development – a family partnership – Ed worked with sons Ed McMullen, Jr. and Malcolm McMullen in numerous industry projects. They included Emerald Grand in Destin, Florida and the creation of Wisdom Ventures, a travel club concept aimed at the pre-retirement demographic and retirement community development, an idea that remained Ed’s passion to the very end of his life.

Along his 44-year timeshare journey, Ed was named Timeshare Professional of the Year in 1984, served as ARDA Chairman from 1997-1999, and was a Founding Director and Vice President of the ARDA International Research Foundation. Among his numerous national and international awards is ARDA’s coveted Lifetime Achievement Award, the association’s highest recognition, which he was presented in 2020, in honor of his distinguished career. He was also active in the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Urban Land Institute and deeply involved as an Alumni Trustee at Florida Southern College.

With an incredible zest for life, genuine love of people and passion for the timeshare industry, people were drawn to his extraordinary energy, the twinkle in his eyes and savvy business acumen.

While he was passionate about his work, he was also passionate about his wife, children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom he dearly loved.

In 2018 he said, “I am extremely lucky to have had a career I love with a passionate business pursuit and partners and family who put up with me. If you truly love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. It helps to wake up each day with a purpose. This motivates me to continue a full work schedule with a mission and over-riding purpose with absolutely no plans to retire.” This is a mission he clearly accomplished.
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