Stephen J. Cloobeck
Stephen Cloobeck | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 26, 1961 |
| Education | Brandeis University (BS) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
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
[edit]In 1983, Cloobeck graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Psychobiology.[1]
Business activity
[edit]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 activity
[edit]Cloobeck supports charities and civic organizations including 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. To assist Diamond Resorts employees dealing with unexpected life events, Cloobeck founded the Diamond Resorts International Team Member Crisis Fund (now the Diamond Resorts International Foundation) in 2012.[12]
Cloobeck was chairman of the board of the Nevada Cancer Institute.[13][14] 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]
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.[15][16][17]
Politics
[edit]In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of Nevada, but instead purchased Sunterra.[18]
In June 2011, he 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.[19]
In December 2022, Cloobeck announced he had handed in his resignation to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He stated his reason for leaving the commission was due to not being able to work with Governor-elect Joe Lombardo.[20]
On Election Day, November 5, 2024, Cloobeck announced a run for governor of California as a Democrat.[21]
Media
[edit]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]
Personal life
[edit]Cloobeck was in a five month relationship with OnlyFans model Stefanie Gurzanski which began in July 2020. Following their breakup, Cloobeck sued Gurzanski for offenses including fraud, claiming that Gurzanski had misled him about her modeling career; in response, Gurzanski filed for a restraining order against Cloobeck.[26][27]
On May 5, 2025, The Daily Beast released a podcast featuring Cloobeck, during which he discussed his candidacy for governor of California. When asked about the controversy involving an OnlyFans model, Cloobeck characterized himself as "naive to the dating scene." In response to the host’s remark that the relationship "ended in an ugly legal battle," Cloobeck clarified, "Well, actually, it ended with an apology letter... and all gifts being returned." Cloobeck continued on to read the apology letter:
- "Dear Stephen, I am sorry for the emotional pain I caused you. I am sorry for hurting your heart. I am sorry I disappointed you and could not live up to who you thought I could be. Thank you for pushing me to be a better me. Thanks to you, I have learned that material things do not bring happiness. I hope you find better than me, and I hope for your happiness in the future."[28]
References
[edit]- ^ "Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Resorts Holdings, LLC". Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
- ^ a b "Executive Leadership & Staff". The Brand USA.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Chairman of the Corporation for Travel Promotion Introduced President Barack Obama at Bellagio Fundraiser". Timeshare News. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
- ^ "Apollo Global to Buy Diamond Resorts for $2.2 Billion". Wall Street Journal. June 29, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "PCF - VA Centers of Excellence".
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Obama Foundation Donors".
- ^ "Stephen Cloobeck: Positions, Relations and Network - MarketScreener".
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Major Donation Blesses Los Angeles Dream Center | Positive Encouraging K-LOVE".
- ^ "Stephen J. Cloobeck Donates $250,000 to Los Angeles Dream Center".
- ^ Executive Profile Stephen J. Cloobeck[dead link]
- ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck Archived July 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Nevada Cancer Institute
- ^ WTHR Staff (October 2, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims surpasses $2.2M mark in donations". 13 WTHR Indianapolis. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ^ Levenson, Eric (October 3, 2017). "GoFundMe for Las Vegas victims passes $3 million". CNN. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Martin, Ken (October 3, 2017). "Las Vegas businessman gives $400,000 to aid massacre victims". Fox Business. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ Stephen J. Cloobeck – Golden Nuggets For Diamond Resorts International, by Sharon B. Drechsler-Scott, RRP
- ^ Readers: Help Us Discover a Secret Donor, by Michael Luo, New York Times, February 4, 2012
- ^ "Stephen Cloobeck quits athletic commission, slams Lombardo". December 13, 2022.
- ^ "Hospitality businessman Stephen Cloobeck launches California governor bid". November 5, 2024.
- ^ List of Undercover Boss (U.S. TV series) episodes
- ^ "Undercover Boss - CBS.com". CBS.
- ^ Levine, Jon (November 7, 2017). "Wealthy Dem Stephen Cloobeck Blasts Party for Attack on Rich: 'Effing Wrong' (Video)". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ Bartels, Joe \date=16 February 2021 (February 17, 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) - ^ Cohan, William D. (April 2021). "Private Jets, Mega-Mansions, and Broken Hearts: Inside the Messy, Litigious Breakup of an OnlyFans Model and Her Über-Wealthy Boyfriend". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
- ^ "Why a Millionaire Says He Wants Ex to Return Expensive Gifts". Inside Edition. March 13, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "Trump's Spanx Secrets and OnlyFans Meets Politics". The Daily Beast. May 5, 2025.
- Wang, Jennifer. "Timeshare Resort Company Founder, Undercover Boss, Is Big Winner In Apollo's Latest Deal". Forbes. Retrieved September 27, 2019.