It’s been another busy week for executive appointments in the travel industry.
This week Travel Leaders Group named J.D. O’Hara to the newly created role of president of the company. Reporting to CEO Ninan Chacko, O’Hara will oversee and work closely with the various Travel Leaders Group brand presidents to address specific needs of each distinct division, as well as continue to enhance the travel advisor and member agency value proposition, Travel Leaders said. O’Hara most recently served as senior partner at Certares Management, LLC, and he was also part of the original management buyout of Carlson Leisure Group from Carlson Companies in January 2008.
In air travel news, this week Air France promoted EVP Customer Anne Rigail to the role of CEO, effective immediately. Rigail replaces Benjamin Smith, who had been serving as the company’s acting CEO. Rigail joined Air Inter in 1991, becoming head of Air France Customer Services at Paris - Orly in 1995.
In private jet and air charter news, this week Silver Air hired Colleen McCauley to the newly created position of VP of Client Services. In her new position, McCauley will lead Silver Air’s existing private jet management services, while supporting continued growth by developing creative new management programs.
Also this week, Passport Online, Inc. announced the retirement of longtime VP of Business Development Marilyn Macallair after 17 years with the company and over 40 years of working with the travel agency community. Coinciding with Macallair’s retirement, Passport will restructure its current leadership team, promoting current VP Supplier Relations Jeanne Colombo to the position of VP Strategic Partnerships. Additionally, the company has added a new Director of Business Development role to its Oregon headquarters, which will be filled by Joy Martinello. Macallair will stay on in a consulting role with the company for the first six months of 2019 to ensure a smooth transition.
In tour operator news, this week Collette expanded its Board of Advisors to include Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, who began her role as president of the company earlier this year. Dan Sullivan, Jr., CEO of Collette, will now hold the position of Chairman of the Board, while Alice I. Sullivan will take on the role of Chairman Emeritus.
In car rental news, this week Enterprise Holdings named its COO, Christine Taylor, to the role of President, in addition to her current title. In her expanded position, Taylor will oversee the company’s investments in technology and innovation. Pam Nicholson will remain Enterprise Holdings CEO, the company said.
In financial services news, this week Travelex hired Alex Arnold to its North American management team as the company’s VP of Business Development, with specific responsibility for the growth of Travelex’s international payments business. Arnold joins Travelex from WorldFirst, where he was the Global Head of Partnerships.
Finally, a number of hotels made new leadership appointments this week:
- The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa named Kevin D. Ellis its new general manager.
- The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort appointed Mary O’Donnell its managing director.
- The Almanac Barcelona appointed Alexandre de Noronha Dzelme as Director of Sales & Marketing.
- Dream Hotel Group announced the leadership team for the new Dream Nashville, which opens this February: Randy Diamond as General Manager; Ella Kopfman as Director of Food & Beverage; Tyler Newell as Senior Director of Marketing; Rachael Stroop-Elias as Director of Sales; Brooke Blakely as Director of Revenue Management; and Brandon Jourdan as Controller.
- Finally, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection named Marcela Herrendoerfer its new general manager.
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