Quotes from Bill Jones, Chairman & CEO of Sea Island Corporation
For generations, Atlantans have been vacationing at Sea Island, enjoying the golfing, spa facilities, dining and other attractions of the Georgia coast resort. At the November 26 meeting of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, BILL JONES III, chairman and CEO of Sea Island Co., discussed “the modern era” at Sea Island.That began, he said, with the development of Ocean Forest Golf Course in the early 1990s on the northern tip of Sea Island. “Because it was such a special piece of property, we decided that we should build the finest golf course we could build, the finest club house that we could build, with the finest club experience that we could put together. By all accounts, we were able to do that.” Membership was full six months before opening. It hosted a prestigious United States Golf Association event in 2006, the Walker Cup matches.
After the opening of Ocean Forest, all other golf on Sea Island paled in comparison. The Sea Island Co. recognized this, and recognized that competition was becoming keen in the resort business. The mid-1980s saw the advent of the Ritz Carlton Co., Four Seasons and boutique hotels, “all of a sudden we found ourselves where there was a fine hotel on every nice beach in the world,” Jones recalled. So the company created a new vision to be the finest resort in the world. Aspiring to that vision has helped Sea Island become what it is today.
Everything today at the Sea Island resort is either brand new or completely refurbished. “I’m really looking forward to getting back to the hospitality business and the resort real estate business, because I feel like I’ve been in the construction business for years,” Jones said.
Jones described the founding of the resort in October 1928 with the construction of The Cloister hotel by Jones‚ grandfather and his cousin. It is now recognized as one of the top resorts in the United States. Jones’ grandfather and cousin had grand plans despite the fact that, one state report described the area as “swampy, mosquito-ridden and of little economic value.” They first built a temporary inn. They had one good year before the Depression struck. But the hotel and resort grew and prospered. The company also began to focus on its real estate business, beginning to develop residential communities such as Frederica. Located on the north end of St. Simons Island, the 3,000-acre community limited to 400-500 singlefamily homes. About a third of the home inventory has been sold, Jones said.
“I’m really pleased with where we are both with our real estate business and our resort business,” Jones said. Where does the company go from here? There are a lot of opportunities for the two brands, The Cloister and Sea Island. Strategic planning is underway. Jones recognized a guest in attendance, Jimmy Blanchard of Synovus Financial Corp., which is Sea Island Co.’s lead banker.
“I’m bullish on our business, I’m excited about what’s going on down on the coast,” Jones said. During Q&A, Jones was complimented on the Sea Island Co.’s stewardship of natural resources. “We feel we have a keen responsibility,” Jones said. Jones was asked about the ongoing efforts to redevelop nearby Jekyll Island. “Certainly what goes on at Jekyll impacts the entire coast and the state of Georgia,” he said. Linger Longer Communities, led by Chairman Mercer Reynolds, in September was selected by the board of the Jekyll Island Authority to partner on a long-term revitalization of the island. “I’m really pleased to see the state take the initiative they’re taking. Jekyll needs redevelopment. I’m a big fan of Linger Longer and Mercer Reynolds and his people. I think they do a terrific job and that it is a well thought-out plan.”
Controversy over the redevelopment plan has arisen lately. But Jones noted that 65 percent of Jekyll Island is preserved for perpetuity. “The legislature told the Jekyll Island Authority ‘you’re on your own, you’ve got to figure out Jekyll. We’re not putting any money in Jekyll.’ The Authority came back with a plan, then the legislature stood up and hollered ‘you’re going to destroy Jekyll.’ Well, either the legislature needs to fund Jekyll or let redevelopment occur. I think redevelopment is the right way to go.”
From the Rotary Newsletter 11-26-07
Tags: Bill Jones Sea Island Company, jekyll island, jekyll island development, jekyll island revitalization
