In a surprise move, Tony Gonchar will join American Express on August 6 as vice president of the Representative Network for the American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network (CTN). He will oversee the management and growth of the group. He joined the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) as CEO in January 2011.
In his new role, Gonchar will focus on developing innovative ways to grow the American Express Representative Travel Network. He will work closely with the Strategic Partnerships team to deliver compelling products and services to Representative Network members that bring value to American Express Cardmembers.
Gonchar will also work to ensure that franchisees have the capabilities and resources needed to effectively deliver American Express products and service to their customers.
American Express said that in his role as ASTA's CEO that Gonchar built a robust consumer awareness branding campaign around the benefits of using a travel agent and led significant lobbying and legislative work on behalf of the industry.
Gonchar also served as executive vice president of sales and marketing at Virtuoso, the global luxury travel consortium, where he oversaw the company's member and supplier relationships and orchestrated strategic marketing programs.
Gonchar also spent seven years at Expedia running its private label and branded partnerships division where he led strategic partnerships and acquisitions and integrations with smaller technology startups and major corporations.
At ASTA, Gonchar sat on the boards of The World Travel Agents Association Alliance (WTAAA), US Travel, Tourism Cares and the Starwood Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Hobart College.
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