PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY,
RANDALL L. HERREL, SR., TO RETIRE
AVALON, CALIF. (SEPTEMBER 30, 2020) — Catalina Island Company announced today that Randall L. Herrel, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, will be retiring at the end of the year. Geoffrey C. Rusack, currently Executive Chairman of the Board, will succeed Mr. Herrel as President and CEO on January 1, 2021.
Mr. Herrel joined the Company in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer, rising to his current position of President and CEO in 2009. He serves as a member of the Company’s board of directors, is a director of the Catalina Chimes Tower Foundation board, and formerly sat on the board of the Catalina Island Museum.
Mr. Rusack stated that, “under Randy’s leadership, he and the management team developed a new vision, along with business strategies that repositioned the Company’s portfolio of hotels, restaurants, beachfront venues, camping, tours and activities on Catalina Island. Customer service at these and other Company locations was enhanced, improving the visitor experience. Quality levels at many of the Island Company’s venues were improved, also enhancing the visitor experience. Throughout the countless hours of business meetings, we have spent with Randy, we have valued not only his dedication to the Company and Catalina, but his friendship, as have so many of us in the community. We will miss him deeply!”
During Mr. Herrel’s tenure, he strengthened the company’s infrastructure to support the new business model. Information technology systems were upgraded, safer, high quality vehicles relaced older ones, employee housing was added and selected existing employee housing was improved. New management processes were implemented to enhance communication and decision making. Mr. Herrel also bolstered the management team, as well as relationships with key island stakeholders.
“It has been a tremendous honor to be the 2nd non-family CEO in the company’s history, and to have led the company through a business renaissance positioning it as a resort without walls,” said Mr. Herrel. “After serving as President and/or CEO of companies for almost 25 years, Carol and I look forward to spending more time with our family, traveling across America and serving on company and nonprofit boards. I will truly miss being part of the island community. Thank you for making me feel such a part of Catalina. The history, charm and natural beauty of the island will be part of me forever. May God bless you and your families.”
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ABOUT CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY
As Catalina Island’s premier resort operator, Catalina Island Company provides exceptional guest experiences, with dining establishments, hotels, a beach club, spa, entertainment venues, and more than a dozen land and sea tours and activities. The debut of the newly renovated Hotel Atwater adds to the company’s other Avalon accommodations at Mt Ada and the Pavilion Hotel. Other notable entities include Island Spa Catalina, the island’s only complete spa destination, and Descanso Beach Club, home of Catalina’s only beachside restaurant & bar, as well as the Zip Line Eco Tour, Catalina Aerial Adventure and Catalina Falconry Experience, all part of Descanso Adventures. Catalina Island Company also has an extensive portfolio of premier meeting and event venues, including oceanfront Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach Club and the Avalon Boardroom in Hotel Atwater. Additionally, Catalina Island Company operates the village of Two Harbors on Catalina’s west end, including Harbor Sands, Banning House Lodge & Villas, Harbor Reef Restaurant, several campgrounds, and more. For additional information, go to VisitCatalinaIsland.com.
