Jarvis J. Slade, Jr., the president of Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, an equity-based destination club that was formed from the combination of Crescendo and BelleHavens last month, was appointed to the Destination Club Association’s board of directors.

The appointment of Slade came at the Association’s annual meeting in Miami this week. There are currently seven clubs that are members of the DCA, a group that has pushed for greater financial transparency among destination clubs as a condition of membership.

“It is critical that the industry have a non-partisan organization that will help define the way destination club memberships are structured, marketed and sold,” said Slade in a company-issued release. “Potential members should feel confident that the DCA will work diligently towards a goal that provides certain safeguards while creating a robust industry benefiting all.”

In an obvious twist of irony, the DCA was formed in reaction to the implosion of Tanner & Haley in 2006, which had its genesis as an Abercrombie & Kent-branded destination club. Tanner & Haley declared bankruptcy and its assets were later acquired by Ultimate Resort (now Ultimate Escapes after its merger with Private Escapes). Abercrombie & Kent had licensed its name to that original destination club but did not have an active role in its operation. That move, however, is continuing to haunt the luxury brand even as it dives head first into the destination club market with the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, a destination club that it will directly manage. In fact, Abercrombie & Kent is currently facing lawsuits from 571 former members of Tanner & Haley and this week, a Los Angles Superior Court Judge rejected a bid to dismiss the lawsuits.

While the new Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club will not begin selling memberships until September, the brand will likely face tough questions from prospective new members. Sales executives may spend as much time describing the club’s portfolio of homes (there are 18, along with 12 luxury leased villas) and the ability to use vacation nights on Abercrombie & Kent luxury tours as they will answering questions from prospective members about what could turn out to be a protracted court room battle.