Sea Island Names Scott Steilen as President

SEA ISLAND, Ga., July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sea Island Acquisition, LLC today announced that Scott Steilen has been named as the new President of Sea Island.  As President, Mr. Steilen will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company and its operations, which includes two of the world's most exceptional resort destinations -- The Cloister at Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club -- as well as three championship golf courses, the nation's finest golf learning center, a world-class spa and fitness center, a wide range of outdoor recreational amenities, and two private clubs.

Mr. Steilen, age 42, joins Sea Island after having spent 10 years as a Principal of Warnick + Company, a strategic advisory firm to hospitality industry clients worldwide.  Prior to co-founding Warnick + Company's Chicago office, he spent nearly 10 years at Ernst & Young directing its hospitality advisory practice for the central United States.  Since December 2010, Mr. Steilen has led the Warnick + Company transition team at Sea Island, following the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Sea Island Company by Sea Island Acquisition, LLC.

Mr. Steilen said: "Sea Island is a wonderful destination that possesses a rich tradition and history, gracious service culture, and countless opportunities for making memories.  I am both excited and honored to have the opportunity of leading the Sea Island team, getting to know our members further, and interacting with our guests.  Given the benefit of a strong and committed ownership group and a sound financial footing, we have an excellent opportunity to re-introduce Sea Island to the world."

Philip Hofmann of Sea Island Acquisition, LLC, said, "Since his arrival, Scott has greatly impressed us with his leadership skills, strong business acumen and understanding of how to enhance and simplify complex hospitality operations.  On countless occasions, members and employees have expressed to us how much they have enjoyed and valued their interactions with Scott.  Prior to naming Scott as Sea Island's new President, we conducted a thorough search but ultimately concluded that the best person for this job was already hard at work here."

According to Bobby Gellert of Sea Island Acquisition, LLC, Warnick + Company will continue to support ownership and the management team as a strategic advisor.  "The Warnick team has done an outstanding job of managing this asset through a very challenging transition period.  They achieved major reductions in the cost of operations while launching numerous successful initiatives to reestablish Sea Island as one of the world's premier resort destinations.  We cannot say enough about their efforts and look forward to our continued relationship with Warnick + Company as we move beyond the transition."

Mr. Steilen is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds a degree from its School of Hospitality Business with an emphasis in Finance. 

Mr. Steilen will officially commence his new responsibilities this month.  He is relocating to St. Simons Island with his wife and three children.

About Sea Island Acquisition, LLC

Sea Island Acquisition, LLC, a limited liability company comprising investment funds managed by the global investment firms The Anschutz Corporation, Avenue Capital Group, Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. and Starwood Capital Group, in December 2010 completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Sea Island Company, a private resort and real estate development company.

About Sea Island

Sea Island features two of the world's most exceptional destinations: the Forbes Five-Star Cloister at Sea Island and The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond property. Sea Island also includes the Golf Learning Center, three championship golf courses, the Forbes Five-Star Georgian Room restaurant, Sea Island Beach Club, Camp Cloister, the Tennis Club, Yacht Club, Shooting School and Forbes Five-Star Cloister Spa.  Sea Island is also home of the Sea Island Club, a private club consisting of nearly 1,800 active members, and Ocean Forest, a private golf club.  A recent transformation of the resort married the company's storied history with unparalleled 21st century amenities.  Sea Island's website is www.seaisland.com.

SOURCE Sea Island Acquisition, LLC