Stephen Cloobeck

In 1983, Cloobeck graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Psychobiology.[1]

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]

Cloobeck was chairman of the board of the Nevada Cancer Institute.[6][7] 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. He has also worked with a number of other charitable and educational groups.

In 2007, Cloobeck publicly considered running for governor of Nevada, but instead purchased Sunterra.[8]

In June 2011, 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.[9]

On June 3, 2016, Cloobeck donated $1,000,000 to Priorities USA Action, a pro-Hillary Clinton PAC.

In January 2017, he explored a plan to run for governor in the state of Nevada, intending to seed his campaign with $5 million of his own money. He told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he was conducting polling exploring a bid. In April 2017, Cloobeck endorsed incumbent U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R) for re-election.[10]

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.[11][12][13]

Cloobeck has appeared on the US edition of Undercover Boss twice. Cloobeck first appeared in Season 3, Episode 1 (initially aired January 15, 2012), and again in Season 4, Episode 4 (initially aired November 30, 2012).[14][15]

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 [Representative 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."[16]

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