Former Silversea Chief Takes Post With Sandals

Former Silversea Chief Takes Post With Sandals

Travel industry veteran Ellen Bettridge has taken over the presidential reins at Miami-based Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI), exclusive representatives of Sandals Resorts International in the Americas. She comes to UVI from Silversea Cruises, where she served for nearly two years as president-the Americas, following a 20-year career with American Express, departing the company as vice president of its U.S. Retail Travel Network. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Ellen Bettridge to the Sandals family,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International, in a written release, adding that her “experience as a marketer, luxury brand expert and champion of travel agents, is perfectly aligned with our objectives.” Bettridge succeeds Kevin Froemming, who resigned his UVI post in November and moved over to Playa Resorts Management as executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Joining Bettridge at UVI is Randy Russell, who was appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president, social commerce. Russell is a well-known fixture in the travel industry.  As “Randymon,” he developed a reputation as a skilled hotelier and intuitive marketing executive. Most recently, he was senior vice president, sales and marketing, and chief romance officer for Couples Resorts, where he helped lead the company through several consecutive years of record occupancies and revenues.