Debbie Fiorino has been appointed as the new senior vice president of CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., effective March 31.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience, Fiorino currently serves as senior vice president of human resources for World Travel Holdings, parent company for the CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. brands.
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Fiorino was selected after a three-month search led by Brad Tolkin, co-chairman and CEO of World Travel Holdings. “After a very thorough interview and selection process, I am very confident in my appointment of Debbie,” said Tolkin. “I am extremely excited about the future of our CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. division with her at the helm. She will bring a fresh, new leadership approach that will guide us into the next exciting chapter.”
Bobbye Haupt, franchise owner and chairperson of the CruiseOne advisory council said this about Fiorino's appointment: “As a member of the selection team, I was very impressed with Debbie’s passion for and knowledge of the travel industry. I was most intrigued by her clear advocacy for franchise owners and independent contractors. She struck me as a visionary leader and I look forward to seeing the fresh ideas and perspectives she will bring to the respective brands.”
Fiorino's appointment fills a leadership slot that's been vacant since Dwain Wall, senior vice president and general manager, CruiseOne and Cruises Inc., left the company in late 2013. Wall was recently appointed senior vice president of agency and trade relations for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
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Tolkin has been handling the CruiseOne and Cruises Inc. management responsibilities during the interim period.
Fiorino has worked at World Travel Holdings for more than 11 years. The company said in its press release: "Debbie was instrumental in many key growth and change initiatives that continue to have a lasting impact on the organization’s continued success."
Prior to joining the organization in 2002, Fiorino served at such companies as KaBloom, Bertucci’s Corporation (NE Restaurant Company) and Medical Diagnostics, Inc.