Keeping the Spirit Alive at Maritime Beach Club
By Shep Altshuler
For William Jernigan, the Maritime Beach Club in North Myrtle Beach isn’t just a vacation destination. It’s a place of deep personal connection, a retreat that has seen his children grow up, welcomed his grandchildren, and introduced him to lifelong friends. It’s also where he’s invested his time, leadership, and heart as a long-serving board president.
“I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina,” said Jernigan. “My dad was a contractor, so we moved around—out to California for a few years—but I came back during my junior year of high school and stayed. It’s always felt like home.”
After high school, Jernigan attended the College of Charleston for two years before his career took a different turn. “I got a call from the local paper mill asking if I’d be interested in coming to work,” he recalled. “I made the decision to leave college and take the opportunity.”
That decision launched a long and evolving career. “I started as a laborer, then moved into mechanical work,” said Jernigan. “I went to technical college and earned certifications in mechanical systems and ironworking. Eventually, upper management approached me and said, ‘We’re building a new power plant, and we’d like you to be in charge of it.’” Jernigan took on the challenge and spent another 20 years running the plant operations.
A Vacation that Became a Way of Life
Alongside his demanding career, Jernigan and his late wife, Deborah, discovered the joy of timeshare vacations. “We wanted something stable and relaxing, and timeshare made sense,” he said. They purchased ownership at Peppertree by the Sea and then a second property at Maritime Beach Club, just four blocks away.
“Back then, we thought of it as just a vacation,” said Jernigan. “But it became so much more. We started seeing the same people every year, and those folks became like family. It turned into a reunion every time we came.”
The couple raised their children vacationing at Maritime, and as their family grew, so did their connections. “Our grandchildren are part of this place now too,” said Jernigan. “Some of them have come with me almost every time. We’d go out to the beach, socialize with other owners, cook out, or take part in activities. It’s like going on a cruise—you don’t have to leave the property if you don’t want to.”
Today, he owns two weeks at the resort—one of which includes a flexible option with 15 bonus days—though he typically visits six to eight times per year. “We come in the spring, summer, fall, and for the holidays,” he said. “New Year’s Eve at Maritime has been a tradition for over 25 years.”
Joining the Board
Over time, Jernigan began to think more about the future of the resort. “I noticed the board was made up of long-time members, and many were aging,” he said. “I started to ask myself, ‘What’s going to happen next?’ I wanted to be part of ensuring Maritime stayed strong.”
He began attending meetings, served as a Covenant Member to get involved, and eventually ran for the board. Although he received more owner votes than the incumbent, he wasn’t selected due to the board’s control over proxy votes. “I wasn’t bitter,” said Jernigan. “It just reminded me how important it is for owners to be involved.”
Not long after, a board member passed away, and Jernigan got the call. “They asked if I was still interested, and I said absolutely,” he said. Within two years, he was elected board president—a position he’s held for nearly 20 years.
Rebuilding Maritime Together
When Jernigan first purchased at Maritime, the resort was managed by a developer. But that changed abruptly. “The developer basically walked away,” said Jernigan. “The resort was almost bankrupt, and the doors were locked. A group of owners—including attorneys—came together and reopened it. We formed an HOA and hired Defender Resorts to manage operations.”
That partnership evolved when Defender Resorts was acquired by Capital Vacations, which has now been managing the resort for the past nine years. “They’ve been great,” said Jernigan. “They helped get our finances in order, increase collections, and improve owner engagement. It’s made a huge difference.”
The biggest milestone came when the board and Capital partnered to undertake a full-scale $5 million renovation of the entire property. “We’d been trying to renovate piecemeal—one or two floors at a time—but we realized we couldn’t keep up that way,” said Jernigan. “By the time you finish ten floors, the first ones are already outdated again.”
Instead of closing the resort, the team worked out a rolling schedule. “We did two floors at a time during the off-season,” said Jernigan. “Capital did an effective job at communicating with owners ahead of time and accommodating them in similar units. No one complained—the owner completely understood what we were trying to do.”
A Place for All Generations
The renovation brought every unit up to modern standards—new cabinetry, countertops, furnishings, flooring, and even exterior enhancements. The resort’s 106 oceanfront units, including two penthouses, offer views of the Atlantic from every room.
Amenities are a major draw for owners and guests alike. “We’ve got a pool, hot tub, sauna, rec room, shuffleboard, volleyball, and the Coconut Tiki Hut for food and drinks,” said Jernigan. “Our activities director does an amazing job—movie nights at the pool, hula hoop contests, beach walks where you collect shells and make crafts. There’s something for every age.”
Generational Ownership and Looking Ahead
Jernigan remains hopeful that his grandchildren will one day take over his ownership. “I’ve told them I’ll put it in their name when the time is right,” he said. “Some of them are still figuring things out, but I’d love for them to keep it going.”
He’s also realistic about changing vacation trends. “When I was younger, I wanted to see the world—Egypt, Germany, all of it,” he said. “But now I just want to come to the beach. The younger generation is different. They want variety and flexibility.”
That’s why the resort’s relationship with Capital Vacations has been so important. “Capital brought in their points program, and it helped fill the gaps,” said Jernigan. “Before, our collections were in the 60s. Now we’re at about 80%, which lets us cover our operations, fund reserves, and repay the renovation loan. We’re in a good place.”
A Strong Team Behind the Scenes
None of this, Jernigan emphasized, would be possible without a dedicated staff. “The staff has always felt like family,” he said. “Some have been here for over 20 years. They take real pride in what they do.”
He is especially grateful for General Manager Pam Cordell. “Pam’s been with us for over five years, and she’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with,” said Jernigan. “She’s sharp, she’s organized, and she really understands how to keep things moving while making everyone—owners and guests—feel heard. We’re lucky to have her.”
The Heart of Maritime
After decades of ownership, leadership, and friendships, Jernigan remains devoted to Maritime Beach Club.
“I’ve had a good life here,” he said. “Maritime has been good to us. We love it.”
To learn more visit:
www.maritimebeachclub.com
www.capitalvacations.com