NTOA Appoints Kandel as General Counsel

The National Timeshare Owners Association (NTOA), North Americas premier association dedicated to educating and preserving the rights of timeshare owners, has announced the appointment of Martin M. Kandel as General Counsel and member of the NTOA Board of Directors.

Kandel holds a juris doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a bachelors degree in Political Science from Rutgers University. He is a member of the State Bar of Maryland, a former Maryland Assistant Attorney General and Counsel to that states Real Estate Commission and Commissioner of Consumer Credit, and the primary author of the Maryland Timeshare Act.

Since 1984, Kandel has represented and served as counsel to timeshare developers, lenders, builders, and a variety of other industry related clients. He has provided management consulting, compliance, and product development services to public and private domestic and international shared ownership and travel related companies. In addition, Kandel has served in senior roles for Accumen Sales and Marketing Group, Accor Premiere Vacation, Club Lacosta Resorts and Hotels, Diamond Resorts International, Exploria Resorts, and Starpoint Resorts. He has also served on the Boards of both the American Resort Developers Association (ARDA) and the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Counsel (ATHOC).

“Marty’s background spans a broad spectrum of legal knowledge combined with extensive practical operational experience having served as a regulator and by working at C-level positions as a timeshare developer and marketer,” said Gregory Crist, CEO of NTOA. “His expertise and common sense approach is a great match for the NTOA’s diverse member organization, growth, and advocacy agenda as we intensify our focus on consumer-centric opportunities on behalf of all timeshare owners. Marty will help us better-identify and address opportunities and challenges related to vacation ownership and how the product is marketed, sold, and re-sold. I look forward to working closely with Marty and welcome his counsel with regard to owner education, advocacy, promotion, and especially his role as a trusted liaison between the NTOA and developers, other industry organizations, along with the legal community,” Crist stated.

“I welcome the opportunity to re-engage as a legal practitioner, and hope to reinforce my own pro-timeshare view within the NTOA,” Kandel said. “I am confident that greater communication combined with proactive and sensible measures between the NTOA and the timeshare community will promote best industry practices and resolve many of the problems faced by a growing number of timeshare owners and legacy resorts,” Kandel added.

About NTOA
For nearly 20 years, the National Timeshare Owners Association has worked to foster a better understanding of the benefits, value and usage of timeshare ownership through information and educational programs. NTOA operates and maintains a toll free help desk for consumers (844) ASK-NTOA. They are dedicated to working with consumers and the timeshare community to encourage timeshare usage, educate the public on the benefits and responsibilities of timeshare ownership and insure a better timeshare experience for everyone.

For more information visit http://www.ntoassoc.com/ or on twitter @ntoassoc