Michael Meldman
Michael S. Meldman | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 30, 1958 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder and chairman of Discovery Land Company; co-founder of Casamigos tequila |
Michael S. Meldman (born December 30, 1958) is an American entrepreneur known for founding and chairing Discovery Land Company and for co-founding the Casamigos tequila brand with George Clooney and Rande Gerber.
Early life
Meldman was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. His father was employed in the insurance industry, while his mother pursued a career as a writer. He completed his history degree at Stanford University in 1981, initially intending to enter the legal profession. After encountering difficulties with the LSAT exam, he briefly worked as a blackjack dealer in Lake Tahoe.
Career
Starting out as a commercial real estate broker in Northern California during the 1980s, Meldman secured financing for his initial property purchase—a 300-acre parcel in Portola Valley, California—with support from three acquaintances.
In 1994, he launched Discovery Land Company, with its inaugural resort project, The Estancia Club in Scottsdale, opening two years later. By 2024, Discovery Land Company manages more than 35 upscale residential communities worldwide.
Meldman created the Discovery Land Company Foundation in 2007 to aid nonprofit organizations focused on children and families residing near his developments.
In 2012, he joined forces with Rande Gerber and George Clooney to develop Casamigos tequila. The brand was acquired by Diageo in 2017 for an initial $700 million payment, with additional earnouts that could bring the total to $1 billion.
In December 2024, Meldman purchased a 7.5% stake in the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders.
He credits his dedication to developing family-centric communities to the inspiration provided by his sons.
Personal life
Meldman is a father to three sons.