One of the best parts of any transformation happens when a critical turning point that has the potential to derail the momentum not only transitions without a hiccup, but actually becomes a seminal moment that shows all the promise of setting the stage for a new growth spurt advancing that transformation dramatically. Such is the case for this week’s announced leadership change for the Harbor Shores Resort Community of Michigan’s Great Southwest.
Originally launched as a catalyst for economic development in Benton Harbor, the Harbor Shores Resort has quickly become a pillar of the community and a favorite Midwest tourism destination. Thanks to a transition in leadership, the entire resort community is on the doorstep to a new era of ongoing growth and success for the lakefront resort, its real estate developments and the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course operations.
Trustees of the not for profit development tell us that after 14 years with the resort, Bob McFeeter is transitioning from his current role as managing director, to the role of Director of Development. McFeeter has been recognized for his leadership and expert guidance in redeveloping a massive area of outdated and contaminated properties into the gem of Michigan’s Great Southwest. Bob has spent his career managing and developing world class projects from the Princeville Resort in Hawaii and marinas in Singapore, to the Walsh Bay development in Sydney Australia. Had McFeeter simply retired and moved on, the momentum could have been at risk.
Jeff Noel, who has been serving as President of the Harbor Shores Trustees says, “Bob has earned an enviable reputation for bringing complex concepts to life, and no finer project represents his mastery than the Harbor Shores Resort.” Noel adds, “We are happy to have his continued involvement in utilizing his well known skills through his new role as he transitions into a new phase of life that includes more travel and time with his family.”
In light of McFeeter’s transition, a new governance structure is being implemented at Harbor Shores to manage the resort real estate development and golf operations. The newly created Harbor Shores Operating Committee will be led by Jeff Noel as Managing Director, along with fellow Directors Jeff Fettig, Chairman of Whirlpool Corporation, Bob McFeeter and Sam Abdelnour, who recently announced his retirement after 40 years with Whirlpool from his current role of Vice President of North American Sales.
The Operating Committee will set the long term strategic direction for the organization, establish budget recommendations for review and approval by the Harbor Shores Trustees while overseeing the marketing, golf and real estate operations to assure they are meeting and exceeding all financial and operational objectives.
Sam Abdelnour will succeed Jeff Noel as President of the Harbor Shores Trustees, who provide oversight of the organization by seeing to it that the public objectives of the 530-acre community redevelopment project are being met. Abdelnour, who served as the general chair of the 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship held at Harbor Shores has been active with Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Blossomtime Festival and the OutCenter, will be joined by five board members including:
- President of Cornerstone Alliance Rob Cleveland
- Reverend Ken Gavin
- Executive Director of the First Tee of Benton Harbor Ebon Sanders
- Former Whirlpool Executive and Chair of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor Mike Todman
- KitchenAid Director Deb O’Connor.
The Golf Club at Harbor Shores is operated by Kemper Sports Management, and will report into the Harbor Shores Operating Committee, as will the Harbor Shores Real Estate development team, led by Jeff Gilbertsen, CFO and Executive Vice President and Bob McFeeter, Director of Development.
Abdelnour’s assignment has all the hallmarks of excellence and bodes well for the ongoing transformation due to his strong ties over the years to operations there through his role on the Championship Executive Committee for the Senior PGA, his extensive experience with welcoming sizable contingents of golfers from around the world for major fundraising events at Harbor Shores, and his own personal love for the game of golf, side-by-side with exceptional management skills from his long career with the appliance giant.
Abdelnour says, “The new Harbor Shores Operating Committee offers an organizational structure that will allow us to continue our vision for growth and community development.” He points out, “Each member of the committee was selected to bring top notch management and development skills to assure the real estate and golf operations are nationally recognized for the quality of amenities and contribution to the economic vitality of the Region.” He adds, “Their expertise and focus on the daily management of the assets of Harbor Shores will enable the Trustees to continue to serve as ambassadors for the organization with accountability that brownfields are being cleaned, recreation is improving with area jobs and tax base growing from the investments being made in the project.”
Harbor Shores Resort is a $500 million golf and resort destination in Southwest Michigan, created to spur economic investment in the area, and is Lake Michigan’s first beach, golf and waterfront community, just 90 minutes east of Chicago in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Michigan.
The community’s central amenity is the 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, which every other year hosts the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship and experienced the single best grand opening with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Johnny Miller playing for a $1 million purse that was given to charity. The challenging course winds through a variety of terrain including wetlands, riverside and hardwood forest and offers stunning views of Lake Michigan from lakeside holes.
The 530-acre residential, golf, recreational and waterfront community features a full calendar of events and world-class amenities, including a marina village and riverwalk, town center with restaurants and shops, health and fitness center, deepwater marina, with a four-star hotel and spa, miles of recreational trails and rivers, and acres of parks and green space.
Harbor Shores will be home to nearly 500 residences, including riverfront cottages, signature homes, townhomes and condominiums. Current real estate opportunities include golf and riverfront home sites, riverfront cottages, golf view homes and condominiums. For more information about the Harbor Shores community and golf course, you can visit online at the link below:
