Don Stephens Jr. Named Managing Director of Shared Ownership Services at HVS

In Brief: HVS has announced that Don Stephens Jr. will assume the role of Managing Director of Shared Ownership Services, succeeding Gary Johnson, who will retire in July 2026 after two decades in the position.

Don Stephens Jr. – Image Credit HVS

Don Stephens Jr. will expand his leadership responsibilities to oversee the Shared Ownership division at HVS while continuing his advisory work. He succeeds Gary Johnson, who will retire in July 2026 after 20 years leading Shared Ownership Services.

This transition comes as demand patterns and investor expectations in shared-ownership and mixed-use resort development continue to evolve. The 2025 State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry report by ARDA found that U.S. timeshare resorts achieved an 80% occupancy rate in 2024, compared to a 63% average for the traditional hotel sector.

Stephens’ expanded role includes ongoing work in valuations, market studies, feasibility analyses, highest-and-best-use evaluations, and strategic consulting assignments. His experience spans resorts, hotels, golf developments, and hospitality-anchored mixed-use projects, serving clients such as financial institutions, government agencies, developers, corporations, and legal and accounting professionals.

Johnson’s retirement will conclude a 20-year tenure overseeing valuation and consulting for private residence clubs, fractional developments, timeshare projects, and vacation ownership brands. His work has included assignments in multiple countries for developers, operators, and lenders.