Meyer Vacation Rentals is excited to announce Michelle Nelson, formerly the director of operations for that team, has been promoted to chief operating officer. 

“Over the years Michelle has proven to be a trusted leader with this organization, and I could not be more pleased to have her assume the leadership of Meyer Vacation Rentals. Under her guidance we will achieve the next level of success,” announced Tom Gober, president/CEO of SH Enterprises, Inc. Gober adds “Michelle has grown up in Meyer, real estate and property management, learning key aspects of this industry from a personal and business view. Michelle’s extensive knowledge of the industry, along with her keen understanding of the challenges faced by owners and guests, has already resulted in significant contributions. Her promotion reinforces my confidence in our ability to execute our strategic plan and deliver superior service for many years to come.”

Growing up in a family that owned vacation rental properties as well as a property management company, Michelle can easily identify with the demands placed on owners and their properties. She recognized and understood tourism trends at an early age. Michelle is also a seasoned traveler, having visited more than 20 countries, and has gained a thorough understanding of guests’ needs and changing expectations through the years—and from all sides.

Michelle worked at Meyer as a summer intern through high school and then attended Rollins College in Winter Park, graduating with a major in international relations and a minor in Latin American and Caribbean affairs. Her hospitality experience and degree, fueled by her passion for travel and tourism, enabled her work experience to include Walt Disney World Resorts and the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau before returning to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Upon returning home, Michelle Nelson became actively involved in our community and presently serves as incoming chairman for the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, has been a four-year team captain for the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Choices Campaign, and serves on the boards of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, the South Baldwin Chamber and the Five Star Southern Hospitality Committee. She is also president of the Pleasure Island Leadership Association chapter of the National Management Association (NMA). Mrs. Nelson has played an active role in the Coastal Resiliency Coalition’s “War Room,” a joint chamber initiative created in response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill, and now serves as the secretary/treasurer. Additionally, Michelle is an alumni of the Leadership Alabama Initiative, as well as Leadership Baldwin County. 

Sheila Hodges, chairman of the board for SH Enterprises, shared, "I couldn't be more proud of Michelle, watching her through the years grow in the business with a 'can do' attitude at every level. Her extraordinary leadership skills were even more apparent after the BP spill. We witnessed her eagerness and devotion to lead several community initiatives, all while championing a positive attitude and commitment to all of our SHE families." 

Michelle will continue to serve as vice chairman for SH Enterprises, the umbrella company for the companies CENTURY 21 Meyer Real Estate, Meyer Vacation Rentals and Meyer Services with operations in Alabama and Florida, plus Starr Textile Services, a commercial laundry and textile rental business with facilities in Foley, AL and New Orleans, LA and serving customers in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. Together, all of the SH Enterprises companies employ 200+ full-time staff, 400+ seasonal team members and more than 40 sales associates.

“Our Guest Sales, Guest Relations, Business Development and Owner Relations teams are looking forward to Michelle’s leadership continuing to propel us to the forefront of the vacation rental market while emphasizing customer service and growing our company, our people and our product offerings,” said Tom Gober.