Mahoney Shares Enthusiasm, Expectations For New Fairfield Resorts’ Role

PARSIPPANY, NJ— Borrowing a page from her book of accomplishments as (outgoing) President/CEO of Howard Johnson International, Mary Mahoney apparently has similarly big plans and lofty goals as she heads over to her new post of senior vp/member relations and customer support for Fairfield Resorts, Cendant Corp.’s timeshare arm. As Mahoney told HOTEL BUSINESS®: “I’m very excited about moving over to my newly created responsibilities at Fairfield Resorts, particularly because it gives me the opportunity to broaden my professional horizons and do something different… and I don’t have to leave [Cendant] to do it.” Mahoney explained her new position— which has her reporting to Fairfield Resorts President/CEO Franz Hanning— will indeed have her playing a key role for the company, especially in light of the fact some 40% of the timeshare firm’s sales revenues originate from its current ownership base, primarily through repeat purchases and/or referrals to family and friends. “Obviously,” she offered, “protecting that asset base is extremely important to the company.” It’s equally apparent Mahoney’s duties will find her doing considerably more than just “protecting” that asset base. “It will be my job to determine how best to reach out and touch our customers— in the process reinforcing our service culture and strategy and, of course, thereby helping to grow future revenues.” At this point, Fairfield Resorts lists 65 properties nationwide, and generates revenues of about $670 million annually. Furthermore, the system’s more-than-450,000 owners make Fairfield Resorts the largest vacation-ownership organization in the world (in terms of membership), Mahoney said. Looking ahead, the long-time Cendant executive fully expects Fairfield Resorts to boast “one million happy, satisfied members five years [or less]from now. As such,” she added, “that would certainly cement our market position as the vacation-ownership leader and top value-provider.”—Michael Billig