The Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA) elected Barry Richcreek as chairman of the association's Board of Directors for 2010. Richcreek is co-owner of Richcreek Vacations in Harrisburg, PA. Richcreek was one of ARTA’s new officers named at ARTA’s recent quarterly meeting in New Orleans.
Richcreek’s agency was established by Margaret and Barry Richcreek in 1988. Richcreek also serves on ARC’s Joint Advisory Board-Airline Reporting Agreement (JAB-ARA), and on the board of TAAP (Travel Agent Arbiter Program). He was a founding member of the local Make A Wish Foundation.
Sally Watkins was elected vice chairman. She is an individual agent who works through Century Travel in Austin, TX. She has been recognized in the travel community as one of the nation's "A-List Super Agents." Watkins has been president of the Travel Agents Council of Austin, and has served on the local boards of Foundation for the Homeless and Teenage Parent Council.
Jane Dever, owner of Crosby Cruises and Tours in Florida, NY, will serve as decretary.
Lynn Hayes, manager of CWT Vacations in Greenville, SC was named treasurer. Hayes was named as one of the Most Powerful Women in Travel by Travel Agent. She taught for three years at the International School of Travel in Greensboro, and has served on the Thrifty Car Rental Advisory Board.
Nancy Linares, who with her husband has owned and operated Holidays ‘n Travel in Austin, TX, since 1972, will serve as executive committee member at large. Linares has served on major hotel and CLIA advisory boards in the past. She was named one of the Most Powerful Women in Travel by Travel Agent four times.
ARTA said the executive committee reflects both continuity of leadership and a deep commitment to take ARTA successfully into the future. “The diversity of the travel industry is well represented on the ARTA board, from the home-based segment to branded retail agency, from ownership to frontline agent and independent contractor.”
Founded in 1963, ARTA is the largest and oldest non-profit association in North America that represents travel agents exclusively. It is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. For more information about ARTA, contact Pat Funk, ARTA’s executive director, at 800-969-6069 or [email protected].