New roles for the industry’s movers and shakers
TravelTriangle
TravelTriangle has appointed Abhinna Suresh Khare as AVP – marketing. The move will see Khare take over the brand and marketing verticals in the organisation and put to use his in-depth experience and brand building skills in order to consolidate TravelTriangle’s presence in the Indian holiday solutions segment. He comes to TravelTriangle with over eight years of experience in building brands and new business extension opportunities.
United Airlines
United Continental Holdings board of directors have named Brett J Hart, currently the airline’s executive vice president and general counsel, as acting CEO. The appointment is effective immediately. In addition to serving as United Airlines general counsel, Hart has been responsible for government and regulatory affairs, corporate real estate, customer experience, corporate security, community affairs, contact centers and food services. Prior to joining the company in 2010, Hart served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee, partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, and special assistant to the general counsel at the US Department of Treasury.
Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has made the following executive promotions. Sujitra Jongchansitto, executive director for the Northern Region, has become deputy governor for domestic marketing, while Visanu Jaroensilp, executive director at the office of the governor, has been named the deputy governor for tourism products and business. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT’s executive director for the East Asia region, has been promoted to the position of deputy governor for international marketing (Asia and South Pacific). In addition, Charun Ohnmee, executive director for planning department has become advisor 10.
Princess Cruises
Anthony Kaufman has been promoted to the position of executive vice president international operations for Princess Cruises. In addition to his continued leadership for the line’s Asia operations, he will now oversee the business in Australia, United Kingdom and Europe. In his previous role as senior vice president of Asia operations, Kaufman has been accountable for multiple sales and marketing teams throughout Asia that are focused on growing the Princess Cruises brand throughout the region and supporting the brand’s itineraries in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore. In addition, he developed Princess Cruises’ strong relationships with government authorities, industry associations and business partners in the region. He also facilitated coordination with the many operating departments that support Princess Cruises’ growing Asia deployment.
Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation
Charles L Miller has joined Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) as vice president, operations, reporting to Bruce Dressel, chief operating officer. Miller will lead all aspects of sales support, service, customer satisfaction, and new market/ product categories for HERC, as well as marketing and strategic technology initiatives across the branch network to drive superior customer service, new market development, fleet readiness, revenue growth, operational efficiency and overall branch performance. Miller joins HERC with over 30 years of experience in the equipment rental market, including more than 20 years of service with Sunbelt Rentals.
Avis
Avis Budget Group has appointed Mark J Servodidio as president – international. In his new capacity Servodidio will be responsible for leading the international region, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Servodidio, previously managing director, Europe, for Avis Budget Group, has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility within the region since being named executive vice president (EVP) for franchise and corporate services in EMEA in 2013, advancing to managing director of the company’s operations in northern Europe in May 2014, before being named head of Europe. Prior to joining Avis Budget EMEA senior leadership team, Servodidio served as EVP and chief administrative officer for Avis Budget Group, responsible for worldwide human resources and properties and facilities, airport concession agreements, environmental compliance and supplier diversity. Prior to joining Avis Budget Group in 2001, Servodidio held leadership positions at Kraft Foods and PepsiCo.
Inmarsat
Inmarsat has appointed Frederik van Essen as vice president of aviation strategy and communications, based in Nyon, Geneva. He will oversee long-term business planning and strategic projects, marketing communications and market analysis for Inmarsat’s fast-growing aviation division. Essen has joined Inmarsat from Air France-KLM, where he worked for almost a decade in a number of senior management roles, including director of corporate strategy and director of communications and database marketing. He also held a variety of marketing, ICT and business development roles at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and served in the management team of the award-winning Flying Blue frequent flyer programme.
IATA
IATA has appointed Gilberto Lopez Meyer as senior vice president for safety and flight operations, and Nick Careen as senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security. Meyer will be based in Montreal and succeeds Kevin Hiatt who left IATA in July. He joins IATA from the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority which he has led twice as its director general (2003-2008 and from 2014 to the present). He started his aviation career as a pilot with Mexicana Airlines (1986-2003) and also has strong experience in airports having twice served as the director general of Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (2008-2012 and 2013-2014) as well as the director general of Mexico City International Airport (2012-2013).
Careen will take up his role as senior vice president for APCS. He succeeds Tom Windmuller who retired from IATA in August after nearly a quarter century of serving the industry. The APCS role, which was created in a 2013 re-organisation, is being shifted from the executive office in Geneva to IATA’s Montreal headquarters. Careen will oversee a team with a significant presence in both Montreal and Geneva. Prior to IATA, Careen built his career in Air Canada and its subsidiary Jazz where his last role was as Air Canada vice president for airport, call centres and customer relations, a position he held from 2013 to 2014.
Kochi Marriott Hotels
Rejin Thomas has been appointed as multi property director of sales and marketing for Marriott hotels in Kochi: Kochi Marriott Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Airport Hotel. In his capacity, Thomas would lead in developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies for both hotels in Kochi. Prior to joining Kochi Marriott hotels, he was director sales and marketing of the Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre and Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad. Thomas has been with Marriott since June 2012. Previously, he had been working with The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts.