Words
A Q&A With
Prior to entering academia as his profession, Dr. Edward Merritt was vice president and general manager of Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club in Orange County, Calif. He oversaw the planning, development and management of the 36-hole residential resort club from start-up to mature.
Dr. Edward Merritt Lisa McPheron, director of communications and external relations for the college, recently sat down with Dr. Edward Merritt, the James A. Collins Distinguished Professor of Management, to find out more about him and his teaching philosophy. Here’s what he had to say. 30
McPheron: Collins College professors are known for having considerable hospitality experience before teaching. Tell us about your hospitality background. Merritt: I grew up on a small barrier island just off the coast of Florida. I was fortunate to work at the two world-famous resorts located there, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and Sawgrass, part-time throughout my school years. Seeing firsthand the excitement of happy vacationers experiencing perhaps the most fun times of their lives, I realized the hospitality industry was the place to be. I eventually became general manager at Ponte Vedra and later at Sawgrass. The Stockton family owned both resorts and it was there that I first learned the importance of effective leadership. Jim Stockton always carried the torch. He was the keeper of the vision and mission. It was through his encouragement that we accomplished seemingly impossible goals. He was always generous in sharing the successes of the good times and he was noble in his willingness to work through the down cycles typical of real estate intensive developments. This style of leadership helped make him
TOM ZASADZINSKI
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