Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry’s Movers and Shakers!
1. Amadeus appoints Frédéric Barou as Vice President of Asia Pacific
Frédéric Barou.
Amadeus, a leading technology partner for the global travel industry, today announces the appointment of Frédéric Barou as the new Vice President of Distribution, Products and Operations at Amadeus Asia Pacific.
Based in Bangkok, Frédéric is responsible for driving the overall product marketing strategy, delivering innovative and personalised business solutions to Amadeus customers across the Asia Pacific region. He will also be leading Amadeus customer service for the region.
“I look forward to working with our team of professionals at Amadeus to maintain our leadership position by focusing on product innovation, professional delivery and flawless customer service, to meet our customers’ evolving needs.”
Frédéric Barou
Frédéric has been a member of the Amadeus family since 1999. Prior to joining the Asia Pacific team, he was Vice President, Sales and Account Management for Amadeus North America, based in Chicago, where he oversaw Amadeus’ client relationships with business travel companies and Corporations.
“We are very pleased to have Frédéric Barou lead the growth of our innovative technology. We believe that his breadth and depth of experience in the sector and his extensive knowledge of the Amadeus business will steer the company to greater heights,” commented Angel Gallego, President, Amadeus Asia Pacific.
2. Etihad Guest appoints new Managing Director
Yasser Al Yousuf.
Yasser Al Yousuf, an Emirati national, has been appointed as the new Managing Director for Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty program, and its partners Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional.
Effective immediately, Yasser assumes the role at a time of rapid growth in the business as Etihad Guest continues to evolve into a broad-based lifestyle program.
Etihad Guest is one of the existing programs within Etihad Airways’ new loyalty business, Global Loyalty, which holds majority stakes in other airline loyalty programs, including topbonus (airberlin), Jet Privilege (Jet Airways) and upon completion of the acquisition in January 2015, Mille Miglia (Alitalia).
Yasser has a strong background in the loyalty industry having worked at Emirates Skywards, and more recently at Du. He joined Etihad Airways in 2013, and has held a number of senior roles within Etihad Guest since then, including Head of Services and Head of Coalition Partnerships.
“Yasser has a proven track record in the industry and passion to meet the needs of the increasing number of travellers looking to gain more value from their travel experience.”
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad airways Chief Commercial Officer
And he continues: “This is a tremendous opportunity that will allow him to utilise his in-depth experience and knowledge whilst also continuing to play a leading role in the expanding loyalty business of Etihad Airways and its partners.”
In 2013 Etihad Guest separated from the airline to form a separate legal company – Etihad Guest LLC.
3. Shane O’Hare appointed as Etihad Airways Senior Vice President, Marketing
Shane O’Hare.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the appointment of Shane O’Hare as its Senior Vice President, Marketing.
Mr O’Hare brings an unrivalled mix of experience in airline marketing and management, having held a range of senior executive positions in the Gulf and internationally. Most recently, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Jet, the largest private jet company in the Middle East.
Over a seven year period, Mr O’Hare helped develop Royal Jet into one of the most successful private jet brands in the world. Prior to that, he held senior marketing roles at Gulf Air, Star Alliance and Ansett.
In his new role, Mr O’Hare will have responsibility for developing the airline’s marketing strategy, and for leading its successful implementation across commercial strategies, brand management, communications, product and service development, and sales and distribution strategies.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways President and Chief executive officer, said: “Shane is one of the world’s outstanding airline marketeers, having delivered highly successful airline and alliance strategies again and again. He also has an astute commercial understanding, further honed during his successful and profitable leadership of Royal Jet.
“As Etihad Airways extends its reach into new markets, we want to take our brand positioning and marketing strategy up another level. Shane is the ideal leader for that role.”
James Hogan
Mr O’Hare began his career with Qantas Airways, before founding a regional airline and tourist operation, Seair Pacific. After selling that business and completing an MBA at Bond University, he joined Ansett Australia. Over a seven year period, he helped the airline build its international presence and service offer, culminating in Ansett’s entry into Star Alliance. Mr O’Hare was then appointed as the global alliance’s first Director of Marketing.
4. The HTA Appoints Ronald Williams as Interim President and CEO
Ronald Williams.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, announced today that Ronald Williams has been appointed by the HTA board of directors as the interim president and CEO.
Williams will take over responsibilities effective Nov. 21, 2014, following the departure of current HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney.
“We are pleased that he could step in and ease the transition for the HTA, as we search for a permanent president and CEO. Ron brings with him an incredible wealth of knowledge of the HTA and more than 30 years of experience in Hawaii’s visitor industry,” said Aaron J. Sala, HTA board chair.
Williams was appointed to the HTA board of directors in 2009, and served as board chair from 2010 through 2014. He is currently the president and CEO of Atlantis Adventures.
“It is an honor to have been selected as the interim president and CEO during this transitional period.”
Ronald Williams
“I am committed to working with the HTA board and staff on maintaining the success of our tourism economy. On behalf of the HTA, I would like to extend a sincere mahalo to Mike McCartney for serving Hawaii’s visitor industry and wish him well in his new position as he continues to serve the state of Hawaii.”
5. Hertz Appoints John P. Tague President And Chief Executive Officer
John P. Tague.
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. today announced that John P. Tague has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and to the Company’s Board of Directors, effectiveNovember 21, 2014. Mr. Tague’s appointment follows an extensive search conducted by the Hertz Board of Directors. The search process was overseen by the Board’s CEO Search Committee, which is comprised of five independent directors including two recently appointed as part of an agreement with Carl C. Icahn, with the assistance of a leading executive search firm.
Mr. Tague is a travel and transportation industry veteran who has delivered demonstrable results in revenue generation, operational excellence and corporate transformation.
Linda Fayne Levinson, Independent Non-Executive Chair of the Hertz Board, said, “We were looking for a world class global leader who knows the travel industry and its players, has an intimate understanding of the revenue optimization equation, drives operational excellence, has driven turnarounds, is a superb people leader, and most of all, understands how to create shareholder value. In John we have found that leader.”
“I am honored to have been selected to lead Hertz to its full potential at a time of unprecedented opportunity for the Company and industry.”
John P. Tague
6. Holland America names Orlando Ashford president
Orlando Ashford.
Holland America Line reports that effective Dec. 1, Orlando Ashford will join the company as president to lead Carnival Corporation subsidiary’s brand and business, including its fleet of 15 cruise ships.
Mr. Ashford joins the company from consulting firm Mercer, where he was president of the Talent Business Segment.
“I am confident that Orlando’s leadership will enable Holland America Line to build on its uncompromising Signature of Excellence commitment to deliver a superior guest experience.”
Orlando Ashford
Mr. Ashford will oversee Holland America Line’s sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations and strategy. He will report to Holland America Group CEO Kruse and will be part of the Group’s executive leadership team alongside brand leaders Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises; Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn and president of Cunard North America; and Ann Sherry AO, chief executive officer, Carnival Australia. Mr. Ashford will relocate to the Holland America Line headquarters office in Seattle.
Mr. Ashford’s recently published book, Talentism, addresses the global disconnect between available jobs – more than one-third of employers worldwide cannot fill all available jobs – and the estimated 202 million eligible workers who are unemployed worldwide. He examines how technology and human networks can help bridge the skills gap, improve business performance, and lead to the betterment of society at large.