After five years at the helm, Jack E. Mannix, founder and principal of the consulting firm Jack E. Mannix & Associates, is stepping down from his position as chairman of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees. Moving into the top leadership roles are Brian Robb, principal at The Robb Aspect, as chair; and Gary Pollard, of Ambassador Tours, as vice chair.
Under Mannix’s leadership, the non-profit education and certification organization – which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014 – grew significantly in depth and breadth of its products and programs, The Travel Institute said.
“I am pleased with how The Travel Institute has stayed true to its education mission yet is always evolving to stay relevant – and always ahead of the curve to set the training, learning, and certification standards in our ever-changing business. It’s an honor to have played a small part in its success in several ways over the years,” said Mannix, who had also served as the organization’s CEO and president from 2000 to 2002.
Robb has been a member of The Travel Institute Board of Trustees for 10 years, serving as its vice chair for the last four years. He recently retired from his position as senior vice president of The Mark Travel Corporation and Trisept Solutions. Prior to that, he led the development and marketing efforts at Carlson Travel Group and also managed SuperCities and Nordic America Travel. For nearly 40 years, Robb has worked in all aspects of agency management and has long promoted the bond between agents and suppliers.
Pollard is president and CEO of Ambassador Tours, a family-owned and -operated agency that started in the travel business in San Francisco in 1955. Beginning his travel agent career in 1981, Pollard now leads one of California’s top agencies.
The changes to The Travel Institute Board of Trustees are effective October 1, 2015.