James Savina named General Counsel for Wyndham Destinations

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company, has named James ‘Jim’ Savina as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Wyndham Destinations.

Wyndham Destinations is the vacation ownership, exchange and rental business that will be created as one of two independent, publicly traded companies to be established upon the planned separation of Wyndham Worldwide.

Savina will become a member of the Wyndham Destinations executive leadership team. In his capacity as General Counsel, he will oversee all aspects of the company’s legal services. Savina will also serve as corporate secretary and chief ethics and compliance officer for the company.

James Savina

Michael D. Brown, president and CEO for Wyndham Vacation Ownership, said: “Jim has a broad and diverse background, with expertise in guiding large companies through extraordinary change while building and strengthening legal, compliance and governance functions.

“I’m confident that Jim’s capabilities will strengthen our leadership team and the vision we share for the success of Wyndham Destinations.”

Prior to joining Wyndham Destinations, Savina served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Kraft Heinz Company, where he played a central role in the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H. J. Heinz Company and led the combined company’s legal department. Previously, Savina served as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer for Kraft Foods Group. His prior experience includes roles as Executive Director, Global Legal Investigations & Legal Operations for Avon Products; Senior Counsel and Director of Claims and Legal Administration for Energy Future Holdings; and Associate for Jones Day.

Savina earned his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin.