Who’s Where in Travel: New at Ensemble, Cruise Lines

Ensemble’s new board of directors and new sales contacts at cruise lines lead this week’s news in executive appointments in the travel industry. 

This week Ensemble Travel Group elected Terri Jo Lennox, president of Travel Time Inc, as chair of the organization’s board of directors, and Gary Pollard, president of Ambassador Tours, as vice chair. 

In cruise news, this week Alaskan Dream Cruises reported it had hired Douglass McLatchie as its new director of sales in mid-May. McLatchie has more than 15 years of experience in sales positions at Carnival Cruise Line, most recently as a sales manager. 

Also this week Celestyal Cruises announced the appointment of Mary Woody as business development manager for the Central U.S. region. Woody, who is based in Kansas City, has more than 20 years of experience in the cruise industry, including recent stints at Royal Caribbean International, where she also represented Azamara Club Cruises, as well as Klost Cruise Line, where she represented Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Viking. Woody will report to Gordon Dirker, vice president of business development for Celestyal. 

In medical evacuation news, this week Medjet reported that its president and CEO, Roy Berger, is retiring after 20 years. Berger’s longtime friend and colleague, Mike Hallman, will take over as CEO as of July 1. Berger will maintain a seat on the board of directors and continue to advise Mejet. 

In tour operator news, this week upscale safari company Travel Beyond reported it has named Katie Blackstone as product manager of Africa. Blackstone officially started in the role May 21, and she is now responsible for building and sustaining relationships with industry partners in Africa, as well as overseeing company processes and development related to Africa product and travel. Blackstone joined Travel Beyond in 2006 as a high school intern, working after school and throughout seasonal breaks until joining the company full-time after graduating college in 2012. She was promoted to a consultant role in 2014, with Africa as her specialty. 

In destination news, this week Puerto Rico’s newly established Destination Marketing Organization named Ed Carey as its chief sales officer. Carey has held leadership roles at many of the island’s hotels and resorts, including the El Conquistador Resort and Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, where he was able to ultimately increase bookings following the Zika crisis. 

A number of hotels and resorts also made new leadership and sales appointments this week:

  • The Kessler Collection’s Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston named Steve Spear as general manager.
  • Sarah DeVault was named director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Phillips Kansas City, which is a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection
  • The W San Francisco named Mgeni Mpolo as its new director of sales and marketing. 
  • In Georgia, the Andaz Savannah named Sarah Menard director of sales, marketing and events. 
  • Finally, Halekulani in Oahu hired Crystal DeRosier as its new marketing manager and Keith Mallini as its Orchids and Lewers Lounge manager. 

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