Former MLT Vacations President Speaks Out After Stepping Down

Travel Agent spoke Tuesday with Ken Pomerantz, former MLT Vacations president, about his and former CEO Larry Chestler’s decision to step down from the company last week as opposed to relocating from Minnesota to Atlanta at the request of parent company Delta Air Lines.

“Larry and I elected not to consider a move to Atlanta,” Pomerantz told Travel Agent. “I cannot comment any further than that.”

The Star Tribune first reported last week that MLT Vacations Inc., an Edina-based vacation planning firm, confirmed that it could be moving jobs to Atlanta at the request of parent company Delta Air Lines. MLT spokeswoman Susan Worwa said about 240 employees work at MLT's headquarters, but referred further questions to Delta regarding the possible relocation of jobs.

Pomerantz says he and Chestler will stay on as advisers, but only “for a period of time.”

“Larry and I are incredibly proud of what we were able to accomplish at MLT Vacations, seeing it grow to arguably the largest tour operator in the U.S.,” Pomerantz says. “We had a great team of people that we worked with and formed some really great relationships.”

Delta couldn't be reached for comment.

According to the Tribune, earlier this year, Delta said it would consolidate its warehouse operations into one facility in Atlanta. As a result, Delta will shut down its parts warehouse at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport this month and relocate up to 66 workers to Atlanta.

John Caldwell has been named president of MLT Vacations. Under Caldwell’s leadership, MLT Vacations will be undergoing an evaluation of the organization and business practices in order to identify opportunities to deliver an even higher level of service and support to travel agents and their clients.

“Travel agents are an integral part of MLT Vacations business, and we remain committed to our travel agent partners,” said Caldwell in a written statement. “There are no changes planned for the way we do business with travel agents, and their standing with MLT Vacations will remain the same, as will their commission levels and reward opportunities. We are now focused on providing travel agents with exceptional customer service throughout this leadership transition and far into the future.”

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