Every Friday we’ll be rounding up the latest executive appointments and changes in the travel industry.
The week kicked off with the resignation of Steve Wynn as CEO and chairman of the board at Wynn Resorts following the Wall Street Journal’s publication of allegations of sexual misconduct, including pressuring employees to perform sex acts, by dozens of employees at Wynn’s casinos over the past few decades. Wynn denied the allegations, claiming they were the work of his ex-wife, with whom he is involved in a lawsuit, but said that the “avalanche of negative publicity” meant that he could no longer continue to be effective in his current roles. He is succeeded by Wynn Resorts President Matt Maddox as CEO and Boone Wayson as non-executive chairman of the board.
In cruise news, Carnival Cruise Line has reported Ken Tate and Jim Heaney to executive vice president positions, reporting to Carnival President Christine Duffy. Both promotions are effective immediately. Tate, who joined Carnival as VP revenue management in 2012 before becoming SVP revenue management in 2015, has been promoted to EVP and chief commercial officer. He will be responsible for revenue management, ship deployment, and trade and direct sales channels, including the customer contact center. Heaney has been promoted from chief financial officer to EVP, professional services, and chief financial officer. In addition to his CFO role, he will be responsible for the cruise line’s legal and information technology functions, as well as strategic and commercial port development efforts.
AmaWaterways promoted Alex Pinelo and Donna Cook from senior roles within the company to directors of national accounts. Pinelo, who has been overseeing the development of Latin American markets and reaching out to travel agents in that region, will retain those responsibilities in his newly expanded role. Cook, who originally hails from Crystal Cruises, joined AmaWaterways as director of strategic initiatives in September 2017. Both will work closely with the river cruise line’s 23 business development managers and sales coordinators in the United States and Canada.
Morgane Beltaief has moved from AmaWaterways, where she was most recently director of national accounts, into a new director of strategic accounts role at Oceania Cruises. At Oceania Beltaief will report to Scott Kluesner, vice president of strategic accounts, to work with sales directors, account executives and business development managers to implement sales strategies for travel agents, agency owners and consortia.
Also this week Travel Leaders Group promoted Darren Press to vice president of creative. Press joined Travel Leaders in June 2015 as creative director. In his expanded role, Press will continue to contribute to the company’s overall creative direction, with a focus on the company’s corporate and leisure travel brands and both B2C and B2B marketing. He will manage a team of designers, writers and creative strategists located in multiple offices across the country for Travel Leaders.
Finally, in other hotel news, Jennifer Milliron has moved from Starwood to Teneo Hospitality Group, where she is now director of sales for the southwest region, responsible for markets in Colorado, Utah, Texas and Arizona. Milliron served as Starwood’s global account director for 13 years, based out of Denver, managing association, corporate and group accounts in Colorado, Utah and Illinois. Teneo is a firm representing over 300 independent and luxury branded hotels, resorts and DMCs worldwide.
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