Resort developer Howard Brett Kerzner was killed Wednesday in a helicopter crash off the coast of the Dominican Republic. The 42-year-old executive, who was surveying potential development sites on the island, died after his helicopter crashed into the ocean. Two pilots and another passenger were killed in the crash.
Kerzner was appointed CEO of resort development firm Kerzner International Holdings in January 2004. The Kerzners and an investor group took the company private in August for $3.6 billion, including debt. Kerzner International announced yesterday that Paul O’Neill, formerly a president and managing director, has been named CEO.
Kerzner owns several resorts, including the Atlantis casino resort in Nassau, Bahamas.