New Management at Universal

Universal's new SVP of Sales, Dan Cupertino

Universal Orlando Resort has shaken up a portion of its management team, and insiders say the moves are geared towards shifting more of the company's sales focus back to travel agents. The moves include two Disney defections: Dan Cupertino, Disney's former vice president of travel agency sales and national accounts, is now Universal's senior vice president of sales; and Humphrey Simon, Disney's former director of international sales, is now Universal's vice president of international sales. Both are new Universal hires. Gary Swanson comes to Universal from Delta Air Lines. He is the new vice president of in-market sales. Dennis Quinn and Gretchen Hofmann are holdovers from previous years. The company says it is also adding to the staffs that report to each of the vice presidents. 

In the official release on the management additions, Cupertino says, "Our travel industry partners are more important to us than ever. Our job is to work as closely as possible with our partners in the travel industry so that we can make it easier and simpler for them to sell Universal Orlando products."