Prior to joining DRI, Hicks held the position of vice president of Resort Operations at ResortCom and was president of the Hospitality Division at Shell Vacations, LLC, where he directed all aspects of the Hospitality Management Division including its 22 vacation ownership resorts, 1500 employees and more than 30 homeowner associations.

"Steve is a tremendous asset and his proven track record in developing exceptional hospitality teams across multiple resorts is second-to-none," says Simon Crawford-Welch, Ph.D., RRP, President and COO of DRI. "At Diamond Resorts International(r) our goal is to build a world-class, customer-focused organization-the strongest in the industry. Steve's appointment is one more step toward that reality."

Hicks will be responsible for managing and expanding DRIs North American resort portfolio which currently includes almost 60 properties in Hawaii, California, Florida, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and more.

"I am excited to join a company driven to revolutionize the vacation ownership industry," Hicks says. "With experienced management, a strong financial platform, innovative products, exceptional team members and the satisfaction of its owners at the core of its brand strategy, I look forward to contributing to the success of Diamond Resorts International(r) as an industry leader."

Hicks, a Registered Resort Professional, is highly regarded as a timeshare industry expert and is a frequent speaker in peer workshops and at roundtables. He is also designated as a Certified Hotel Administrator through the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

"Our planned growth strategy will require excellent and experienced management at every level of our organization," says Stephen J. Cloobeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DRI, "Steve offers a hands-on management style that will drive our North American operations to provide better, more consistent, brand-aligned levels of resort amenities and customer service."

Diamond Resorts International(r), based in Las Vegas, Nev., is one of the largest vacation ownership companies in the world with nearly 100 branded and affiliated resorts throughout the continental United States and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe. Offering simplicity, choice and comfort to its more than 360,000 owners through the branded-service of more than 5,000 team members worldwide, Diamond Resorts International(r) is dedicated to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.

For more information, please visit www.DiamondResorts.com

Kimberly Perette
Tel: (702).261.1005