The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) announced today that Jason Gamel will be the new president and CEO, following an extensive national search lead by executive search firm, Spencer Stuart. In late March, the ARDA executive committee endorsed Gamel as the successful candidate. Gamel brings more than twenty years of experience in the hospitality and timeshare industries, including his current role as senior vice president of legal at Wyndham Destinations.

"I am incredibly excited that Jason has been selected as ARDA's new leader. His rich history in timeshare law, experience running ARDA's state government affairs, coupled with his last five years with Wyndham in a senior leadership role, makes him uniquely qualified to take on the opportunities and challenges of leading the association. I've personally worked with Jason and know he is a strong leader," said Howard Nusbaum, current president & CEO of ARDA.

Gamel will take over the organization in early May and succeed Nusbaum, who announced late 2018 that he was retiring after almost twenty years at the helm. He will work alongside Gamel during the transition.

"I want to thank the search committee of resort professionals who worked thoughtfully and collaboratively over the last several months with Spencer Stuart to identify the best candidates," said Don Harrill, search committee chair, past ARDA chairman and current ARDA International Foundation (AIF) chair.

Before joining Wyndham Destinations, Gamel served as the vice president of government affairs at ARDA where he oversaw the direction and management of local, state, and regional legislative and lobbying activities in the United States and throughout the Caribbean. Prior to ARDA, Gamel was an associate at BakerHostetler, one of the nation's largest law firms, in their hospitality practice.

"I feel honored to be able to serve the industry which has given me so much opportunity over the past twenty years," said Gamel. "I look forward to working alongside the board and the exceptional staff at ARDA to continue the important programs of work ensuring the stability and growth of the industry."

Gamel holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a juris doctorate degree from the University of Florida – Fredric G. Levin College of Law and is licensed to practice law in Arizona, California and Florida. He will be relocating to the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and two children in the coming months.

ARDA is the Washington D.C.‐based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has over 600 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‐ROC. For more information, visit www.arda.org