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A group of six team members spent a day helping with camp registration, documenting sessions, distributing medicine and interacting with approximately 200 students, ages 10 - 12. Their efforts went a long way to support students’ overall well-being—a key focus of these programs, which address the health and nutrition needs of Christel House students, allowing them to focus on their education. Importantly, these initiatives not only uplift children but also strengthen their families by improving access to healthcare and creating a healthier, more supportive home environment. About Christel House This global non-profit organization focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty through education, with schools located in five countries: • India • Jamaica • Mexico • South Africa • United States Christel House focuses on providing a holistic education model that includes academics, healthcare, character development, career guidance, and parent and community engagement. By addressing both the needs of students and their families, Christel House creates lasting impact that empowers entire communities.
Team members from across Orange Lake Resort helped make the start of the school year special for teachers at Westside K-8 School in Kissimmee, FL, by delivering lunches earlier this month. The team enjoyed showing appreciation for those who give so much to their students and their students’ families. By volunteering, they got an opportunity to spend some time with the teachers they have worked with through sponsorships of various school events throughout the year. And the support doesn’t stop there! Team members will be visiting the school again soon to drop off school supplies they’ve been collecting for students in need. As Office Administrator Evelyn De Jesus shared, “Every year, the team is willing to help with this drive so we can give kids the opportunity to have what they need—especially during difficult times when the economy is tough for families in our community.”
Continuing their tradition of giving back to the community, team members at our resort in Missouri donated school supplies and collected money to benefit students at a nearby school. The Sales and Operations teams partnered to fill decorated “buses” with supplies for students across various grade levels. The Pro Shop pitched in by collecting cash donations from golfers. Together, the team at Holiday Hills Resort made a meaningful difference for families, helping them start the school year off on the right foot!
Starting this week, our Holiday Inn Club Vacations team members across the corporate campus are teaming up—and competing—to support A Gift for Teaching through our annual Back-to-School Drive, running July 21 through August 11. Two Ways to Win: Departments will compete in two categories: donating school supplies and giving through payroll deductions. The winning teams in each category will earn a sweet reward—an Ice Cream Social! Supply Challenge: Each department received a donation box. Fill it with new, school-related supplies—only full packs count (e.g., a box of pencils = 1 item). The team with the highest number of donated items wins! Top needed supplies include loose-leaf paper, #2 pencils, notebooks, dry erase markers, and copy paper. [Full list here.] Payroll Donation Challenge: Prefer to give financially? Donate through payroll deduction via the UKG app or intranet. Be sure to select A Gift for Teaching. Get Creative & Show Team Spirit: Departments are encouraged to decorate their donation boxes to boost morale and display creativity. Each team has a champion to answer questions and keep energy high. Every item and dollar helps equip local students for success. Let’s make this our most impactful drive yet—one item, one dollar, one student at a time!
In recognition of Juneteenth, the Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Council partnered with our Facilities Team to coordinate the second annual Opal Lee Walk at the Corporate Campus. Team members from across the organization came together to walk 2.5 miles around the campus. Thank you to everyone who joined in support of ongoing efforts toward inclusion, equality and belonging—and for making this year’s walk such a success. This meaningful event paid tribute to Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” At 99 years old, Opal Lee still walks 2.5 miles every year to represent the 2.5 years it took for freedom to reach the last enslaved people in Texas after the Civil War had ended. In 2016, she began her famous “Walk to DC” at age 89, rallying over 1.5 million signatures in support of making Juneteenth a federal holiday—an effort that, thanks to Ms. Lee’s passion and perseverance, became a reality in 2021.
On May 30, 2025, Holiday Inn Club Vacations proudly honored Lanie McFarland, General Manager of Timber Creek Resort, for an incredible 25 years of service. Lanie’s journey—from her early days with the company to leading one of our most scenic and guest-favorite resorts—reflects her deep commitment to hospitality, team development, and delivering memorable vacation experiences. Over the years, she has been instrumental in elevating resort operations and building a strong, service-driven team culture. “Lanie leads with integrity and passion,” said Kelly Kahler, Regional VP of Operations. “Her connection to both our culture and our guests makes her an irreplaceable part of the HICV family.” Known by her team as a thoughtful mentor and steady leader, Lanie is celebrated not just for her tenure, but for the lasting impact she’s made every step of the way. Please join us in congratulating Lanie on 25 years of leadership, service, and heart!
We’re proud to share several leadership promotions and appointments that reflect our commitment to growth, innovation, and strong people-first leadership at Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Lesley Nau has been promoted to Chief Accounting Officer, now leading Accounting, Tax, Risk, HOAs, and Payroll across the U.S. and Mexico. Her strategic vision and operational impact since 2015 have been instrumental to our Finance success. Jenee Byrd joins as Vice President of Cybersecurity and Compliance, bringing 25+ years of experience, including military and private sector leadership, to strengthen our cybersecurity and risk management capabilities. Jeff Wu joins as Senior Director of Strategy Planning and Transformation, supporting major initiatives like the Royal Resorts integration with deep experience in M&A and enterprise transformation. Jorge Reyes has been promoted to Regional Vice President of Resort Operations, expanding his leadership to three resorts after driving excellence at Orange Lake Resort. Please join us in celebrating these talented leaders as they help shape the future of family travel at HICV.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations (HICV) celebrated a major milestone with the ribbon-cutting of The Residences at Orange Lake Resort—a bold addition to its Orlando flagship designed to meet the growing demand for upscale, multi-generational travel. Less than two years after the August 2023 groundbreaking, the first phase is complete with three six-bedroom luxury homes and a fully furnished model, now open for tours and early bookings ahead of their summer debut. The event was led by HICV President & CEO John Staten and joined by industry leaders from ARDA and CFHLA. Each home offers 5,575 sq. ft. of thoughtfully designed space featuring: Six bedrooms and six bathrooms, including dual master suites Expansive living areas with 85” TVs and premium audio A screened-in pool, hot tub, sun shelf, and fire pit lounge Game and fitness rooms, chef’s kitchen with seating for 20, and outdoor kitchen Smart home technology and a private golf cart for resort access “These homes represent more than just luxury—they’re a new standard in how families vacation together,” said Staten. “We believe multi-generational travel is the future.” Originally founded by Holiday Inn creator Kemmons Wilson, Orange Lake Resort now spans 1,100 acres and includes over 2,400 villas, a lazy river, four golf courses, mini golf, dining, and more. The Residences add private-home comfort to these world-class amenities, with exclusive booking priority now available to Holiday Inn Club members.
Every June, people around the world celebrate Pride Month—a time to honor the LGBTQ+ community, reflect on progress, and advocate for inclusion. Whether you're a member of the community or an ally, there are many ways to engage meaningfully. Ways to Celebrate and Support -Attend Pride parades, festivals, or local meetups -Volunteer or donate to LGBTQ+ nonprofits Learn & Reflect -Read books by queer authors -Listen to podcasts like Nancy or Queery -Explore LGBTQ+ history, from Stonewall to today Advocate & Educate -Share inclusive content on social media -Show visible support with flags, pins, or pronouns -Use inclusive language and correct pronouns Support LGBTQ+-Owned Businesses -Shop, dine, and invest in queer-owned brands year-round. Be an Everyday Ally -Listen actively and affirm identities -Speak out against discrimination -Foster inclusivity in all spaces Pride is about joy, identity, and justice. Celebrate, learn, and stand up for equality—not just this month, but always.
Last week, Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort launched its summer season with a vibrant celebration honoring team members and community connections. Thanks to incredible support from leaders and Mastercorp partners, the team enjoyed a well-earned luncheon filled with music, laughter, and a surprise visit from Thad Gregory, who personally thanked them for their dedication. The week also saw volunteers from the team supporting the Summer Special Olympics, helping with athlete check-ins and game scoring—an inspiring reminder of the power of community. Back at the resort, excitement continued with the Thunder on Cocoa Beach event, where the team proudly supported Scott Free Racing Inc. in their offshore racing pursuit. As the 100 Days of Hospitality begins, the Cape Canaveral team is energized to deliver unforgettable summer experiences, ready to Ignite, Refocus, and Reimagine every moment.
