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Stephen J. Cloobeck

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Stephen J. Cloobeck
Born (1961-10-26) October 26, 1961 (age 63)
Alma materBrandeis University
OccupationBusinessman

Stephen J. Cloobeck (born October 26, 1961) is an American businessman and the founder, former chairman and chief executive officer of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts.

Early life

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In 1983, Cloobeck graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Psychobiology.[1]

Business activity

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In April 2007, Cloobeck acquired the publicly traded company Sunterra Corporation and converted it into Diamond Resorts International.[2][3] He is also the chairman of the board of the US Corporation for Travel Promotion.[4] Cloobeck stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer of Diamond Resorts International when the company was purchased by Apollo Global Management, LLC in June 2016.[5]

Charitable and political activity

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Cloobeck supports many charities and civic organizations, including but not limited to the Prostate Cancer Foundation,[6] FasterCures,[7] the Barack Obama Foundation,[8] the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention,[9] the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation,[10] the Los Angeles Dream Center,[11] and various educational initiatives. In personal efforts to assist Diamond Resorts team members dealing with unexpected life events, Cloobeck founded the Diamond Resorts International Team Member Crisis Fund (now the Diamond Resorts International Foundation) in 2012,[12] an unprecedented initiative that continues to offer aid to Diamond team members worldwide struggling with personal challenges.

Cloobeck was chairman of the board of the Nevada Cancer Institute.[13][14] Cloobeck founded the Diamond Resorts International Team Member Crisis Fund (now the Diamond Resorts International Foundation) in 2012, an initiative that offers aid to Diamond team members.[citation needed] In 2012, he endowed the "Stephen J. Cloobeck '83 Endowed Fellowship" at the Brandeis University International Business School.[2] He was a founder of the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness.[citation needed]

In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of Nevada, but instead purchased Sunterra.[15]

In June 2011, donated $100,000 to Majority PAC, a PAC oriented to promoting Democratic candidates to the U.S. Senate. The donation was sent as a check from "JHJM Nevada I, LLC," which made the source not readily evident.[16]

On June 3, 2016, Cloobeck donated $1,000,000 to Priorities USA Action, a pro-Hillary Clinton PAC.[citation needed]

On October 2, 2017, it was reported that Cloobeck donated $400,000 to the Las Vegas shooting GoFundMe campaign setup by law enforcement for benefit of victims.[17][18][19]

In December 2022, Cloobeck announced he had handed in his resignation to the Nevada athletic commission. He stated his reason for leaving the commission was due to not being able to work with Gov.-elect Joe Lombardo.[20]

On Election Day, November 5, 2024, Cloobeck announced a run for governor of California.[21]

Media

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Cloobeck has appeared on the US edition of Undercover Boss numerous times. Cloobeck first appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 (initially aired January 15, 2012), as well as Season 3 Episode 2 (aired January 22, 2012). Furthermore, Cloobeck was featured in Season 4, Episodes 16 and 17, which initially aired May 10, 2013 and May 17, 2013, respectively .[22][23]

On November 7, 2017, Cloobeck appeared on MSNBC and said he told Democratic leaders he would "cut your money off" if they criticize the wealthy, saying: "I've talked to [Senator Chuck] Schumer, I've talked to [Senator Ron] Wyden, I've talked to [Representative Nancy] Pelosi and I've said if you use the term billionaire again, I'm done."[24]

In February 2021, Cloobeck appeared on KTNV to discuss Harry Reid International Airport, explaining "he wants to set up a nonprofit to help fund the rebranding effort to change the airport's name to Harry Reid International Airport, and he says he is pledging the first $1 million out of his foundation to get the ball rolling."[25]

References

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  1. ^ "Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Resorts Holdings, LLC". Retrieved October 4, 2012.[dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b "Executive Leadership & Staff". The Brand USA.
  3. ^ "Undercover Boss Features Cloobeck of Diamond Resorts International and Brand USA". Discoveramerica.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  4. ^ "Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion Introduced President Barack Obama at Bellagio Fundraiser". Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  5. ^ "Apollo Global to Buy Diamond Resorts for $2.2 Billion". Wall Street Journal. June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  6. ^ [1]
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ [3]
  9. ^ [4]
  10. ^ [5]
  11. ^ [6]
  12. ^ [7]
  13. ^ Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck[dead link‍]
  14. ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck Archived July 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Nevada Cancer Institute
  15. ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck – Golden Nuggets For Diamond Resorts International, by Sharon B. Drechsler-Scott, RRP
  16. ^ Readers: Help Us Discover a Secret Donor, by Michael Luo, New York Times, February 4, 2012
  17. ^ WTHR Staff (October 2, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims surpasses $2.2M mark in donations". 13 WTHR Indianapolis. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  18. ^ Levenson, Eric (October 3, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims passes $3 million". CNN. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  19. ^ Martin, Ken (October 3, 2017). "Las Vegas businessman gives $400,000 to aid massacre victims". Fox Business. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  20. ^ "Stephen Cloobeck quits athletic commission, slams Lombardo". December 13, 2022.
  21. ^ https://www.ocregister.com/2024/11/05/hospitality-businessman-stephen-cloobeck-launches-california-governor-bid/
  22. ^ List of Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series) episodes
  23. ^ "Undercover Boss - CBS.com". CBS.
  24. ^ Levine, Jon (November 7, 2017). "Wealthy Dem Stephen Cloobeck Blasts Party for Attack on Rich: 'Effing Wrong' (Video)". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  25. ^ Bartels, Joe \date=16 February 2021. "Diamond Resorts Intl. founder pledges $1M from foundation to help Las Vegas airport rebranding". ktnv Las Vegas.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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