Industry veteran Don Kennedy has joined TRAVELSAVERS as senior vice president of business development. Kennedy will work directly with the group’s executive team on special projects and initiatives. TRAVELSAVERS has 3,000 independently owned full-service travel agencies in 14 countries that generate more than $18 billion in annual sales.
“We wholeheartedly welcome Don to our team,” said Kathryn Mazza-Burney, executive vice president of sales and service for TRAVELSAVERS. “He is an established industry leader with a thorough understanding of both the agent and supplier sides of the business, and he appreciates the intricacies of our particular business model. He has also demonstrated his devotion to the agent community over the years. Don will be a great asset to our global organization.”
Kennedy joins TRAVELSAVERS with a 27-year history in the travel industry. Previously, he served as vice president of associate division for Travel Leaders (formerly Carlson Wagonlit Travel). Responsibilities included senior operating executive responsible for full strategic planning, market planning/analysis, new market/business development, account relationship management, field team leadership, and P&L responsibility.
Prior to that, Kennedy served as general manager of leisure pperations for Travel and Transport; and diistrict manager for the American Automobile Association. He has also contributed to the industry via various advisory board positions.
“TRAVELSAVERS has been known in the industry for its high integrity throughout its 39 years in business, and that was an extremely important factor in my decision to come on board," Kennedy said. "I look forward to applying my in-depth background in network operations to forward the organization’s objectives, and supporting its members to use the many products and services the group offers, all of which are outstanding.”
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