James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 43
Leading with Legacy
A
t the lush expanses of the 1,200-acre Lanier Island Resort north of Atlanta, where
business acumen blends seamlessly with family heritage, Matthew Bowling
stands— as his friends and coworkers say— as a beacon of innovative leadership. As the current CEO and president of Lanier Islands, Bowling says his
journey is not just about leading a premier resort but about nurturing a
legacy that is deeply entrenched in his family’s history.
Bowling’s professional path was
carved out through a rich blend of
education and hands-on experiences. A native of Snellville, he attended Greater Atlanta Christian School
before pursuing a finance degree
at Georgia Tech and later, a law degree at Georgia State University College of Law. But the true call of his
career came from his roots at Lanier
Islands— a property his grandfather
Virgil Williams gained control of in
2005. The property where Lanier
Islands Resort is located is actually
owned by the Lake Lanier Islands
Development Authority which
provides administrative oversight
responsibility with respect to a longterm lease agreement with Lake
Lanier Islands Management, LLC.
“It’s a profound honor to be the
third generation overseeing Lanier
Islands,” Bowling said, and his office
is adorned with mementos of his
grandfather’s achievements. In fact,
when I visited him at his office, he
had on his desk the May/June 2020
issue of this very magazine which
contained a CEO Spotlight feature
on his then-CEO grandfather and
the resort. He held it up with pride
during our interview.
His story is one of deep family
ties and a childhood woven into the
fabric of the resort’s day-to-day life.
From his first job at the island’s golf
course to pivotal roles in marketing,
legal and financial departments,
Bowling’s ascent to CEO was built
on a comprehensive understanding
of the resort’s multifaceted operations. Following Virgil Williams as
president and CEO was Bowling’s
uncle, Mike Williams, who held the
title for several years before turning
over the reins to Matthew Bowling
in May 2023.
“There was a perfect opportunity for me to be a part of something
that I grew up in and was very
passionate about. It was an opportunity that I was excited about, and
so thankful for,” said Bowling.
LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN TRADITION
Bowling credits his grandfather,
Virgil Williams, his father David
Bowling, and uncle Mike Williams
with instilling in him the values of
creativity, hard work, and respect—
qualities that he strives to embody
in his role today. “They taught me
there’s no substitute for hard work
and treating those around you with
loyalty and respect,” he said.
Since taking the helm, Bowling
has navigated significant challenges, including the tail end of the
COVID-19 pandemic and reverting
management of the resort to family
hands after a brief period under
external management. These
experiences have not only honed
his expertise but also reaffirmed
his commitment to independent,
family-focused leadership.
A DESTINATION FOR TOMORROW
Under Bowling’s guidance,
Lanier Islands continues to evolve.
The resort is currently expanding
with exciting new projects like a
chapel and gardens dedicated to
his grandmother, Sara Williams,
and his late mother, Mendy Williams Bowling. These additions are
designed not only to enhance the
resort’s offerings but also to honor
the personal legacies that have
shaped his life.
“It’s going to be a great tribute
to them. They were both big fans of
other people’s love stories and it’s a
really neat tribute to them that we’re
going to have a wedding chapel and
gardens on this property that are
dedicated to love stories.”
Looking ahead, Bowling is
focused on continuing to cement
Lanier Islands Resort as a top
destination in the Southeast. “We
have ample room for growth—
from developing our expansive
acreage to elevating our guest experiences,” he says, outlining plans
for new hotels, conference centers,
and recreational facilities.
“On the leisure side, it’s all
about experience. People are
looking for that ‘Instagrammable’
moment— something different than
what’s been offered before,” said
Bowling. “While on the business
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