The Faces Of VBHC
A premier resort is only as exceptional as the people who bring it to life. At Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club, our team is comprised of dedicated professionals who share a common goal: ensuring your time in Naples is nothing short of perfect. From our meticulous maintenance crews to our attentive front-of-house staff, we are here to provide the seamless service and genuine hospitality that defines our club. Get to know the faces of Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club—a group of local experts and hospitality veterans who take pride in caring for our property and, most importantly, our members.
With a family legacy of ownership at Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club dating back to its inception, Wesley Higgins brings a deep personal connection to his role as President. A retired U.S. Coast Guard Master Chief Petty Officer with 26 years of elite management experience, Wesley combines disciplined leadership with a high level of academic expertise, including a PhD in Horticultural Science and Botany. His professional background as a curator and botanical consultant offers invaluable insight into the preservation of our tropical property, while his four years of Board service ensure a steady hand in resort operations. As a multi-unit owner himself (4 Units), Wesley is dedicated to representing all members and utilizing his unique blend of management and scientific expertise to enhance VBHC as a premier vacation destination.
A Southwest Florida resident since 1962, Linda Dooley brings over 50 years of combined experience in executive banking and luxury real estate to her role as Vice President of the Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club. With a background managing 13 bank branches and nearly three decades as a premier Real Estate Broker and owner, Linda offers the Board sophisticated financial oversight and a deep understanding of resort property standards. A 20-year recipient of the Five Star Award for Client Satisfaction and a certified Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist, she is guided by a “neighbors helping neighbors” philosophy. Linda is dedicated to representing our owners’ interests and ensuring the Club remains a premier, stress-free sanctuary for every member of our community.
With over 20 years of service on the Board of Directors, Vincent brings an unparalleled level of financial expertise and industry insight to his role as Treasurer. A seasoned CPA specializing in small business corporations, individual taxation, and estate planning, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of the fiscal complexities involved in resort management. His background is further bolstered by over 41 years of experience in the timeshare industry as both a CPA and owner-developer, alongside 46 years of expertise in real estate rental and property management across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. A dedicated two-unit owner, Vincent is committed to the long-term stewardship of the property, leveraging his decades of financial and operational knowledge to ensure continuous annual improvements for the benefit of all Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club owners.
With over 35 years of experience as a Hospital Administrator, John Flock brings a specialized background in high-level project management and facility development to his role as Secretary. His extensive career includes overseeing the construction of complex medical facilities, from critical care units to cancer centers, providing the Board with unique oversight regarding property infrastructure and long-term capital improvements. A veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired Medical Service Corps Officer with 30 years in the Army Reserves, John’s leadership is further grounded by his experience as a past President of his homeowners association. Together with his wife, Marilyn, John is a proud owner of three weeks at Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club and is deeply committed to maintaining the property’s standing as a premier, well-governed coastal destination.
With a personal history at Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club spanning over 30 years and a family legacy of owning 11 weeks, Rich Rayburn brings a deep-rooted passion for the property to his role as Director. Professionally, Rich has spent the last 35 years as a Program Manager of Robotic Automation Systems, where he has successfully overseen complex projects and multimillion-dollar budgets—expertise he now applies to the strategic oversight of our resort. Together with his wife, Carolyn, and their three children, Rich considers VBHC a true home and understands the unique value of our location and amenities. He is dedicated to a “members-first” philosophy, prioritizing owner interests in every decision to ensure that Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club remains a premier destination and a growing asset for generations of families to come.
With a profound understanding of the Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club’s operations and history, Denise Vaters brings invaluable institutional knowledge to her role as Director. Denise previously served as our Resort Manager, where her leadership was especially vital during the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ian, where she set the foundation for the property’s reconstruction and recovery. Following her successful tenure, Denise transitioned the leadership to our current General Manager, Julio Morales, ensuring a seamless continuation of the resort’s restoration and its ongoing resilience. With a career that includes past key roles at SunStream Hotels & Resorts and her current position as General Manager of the World Tennis Club in Naples, Denise utilizes her extensive local hospitality background to provide the Board with strategic insight and a deep commitment to the Club’s long-term excellence.
Serving as a Director, Scott Hill brings over 4 decades of diverse executive leadership & real estate expertise. A 1985 graduate of Otterbein College (Bachelor of Arts in Business), Scott’s career is defined by a multi-faceted approach to property management & fiscal stewardship. After co-founding Group One Realty, Inc. in 1985, he established Hill Real Estate in 1994, where he has spent more than 25 years representing a broad portfolio of residential & commercial properties in Ohio. Beyond his deep roots in the real estate industry as a licensed broker and former state-certified residential appraiser, Scott’s leadership extends into the financial sector. Since 2020, he has served as a Director for Peoples State Bank and has acted as Chairman of the Audit Committee for the past three years. This combination of real estate and financial oversight ensures VBHC remains positioned for long-term stability.
As the Resort General Manager of Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club, Julio Morales serves as the primary architect of the guest and owner experience. A seasoned hospitality leader with a deep commitment to the Naples community, Julio has been the driving force behind the resort’s comprehensive recovery and modernization projects. Following the foundational work laid after Hurricane Ian, Julio successfully spearheaded the major reconstruction efforts and navigated the property through subsequent challenges, including Hurricane Milton, with a focus on structural resilience and aesthetic excellence. His leadership is defined by a “members-first” philosophy, ensuring that every operational decision—from state-of-the-art room renovations to the maintenance of our dual-waterfront amenities—is executed to the highest standards. Under his guidance, the Vanderbilt Beach & Harbour Club has not only restored its legacy but has emerged as a premier, forward-looking destination for world-class coastal living.