Experience

• 

  Crystal Cruises

  • District Sales Manager - Southeast

    • Aug 2012 - Jan 2019

• 

  Azamara Club Cruises under RCCI

  • United States
  • Leisure, Travel & Tourism
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Strategic Business Developent Manager

    • Jan 2009 - Jan 2012

    Worked as a Strategic Business Development Manager in a 7 state territory developing brand awareness and sales for Azamara Club Cruises. I was responsible for sales calls, agent training, client presentations and marketing campaigns. I was able to analyze ROI, cost of sale and yield in my territory. I developed significant group business. I worked closely with strategic partners to develop and increase brand awareness with their clients in order to increase their sales. I worked closely with the local RCCL BDMs to conduct joint trainings for local travel agencies. I traveled internationally with select travel partners on Seminars at Sea to train agents on brand differences that set Azamara Club Cruises apart from other cruise lines. I was knowledgeable in all aspects of the cruise industry and competitive cruise lines and able to sell successfully against the competition.

  • District Sales Manager at Celebrity Cruises

    • Nov 2004 - Dec 2008

    Worked as a District Sales Manager in a 5 state territory in the Southeast. I worked closely with travel industry professionals to create brand loyalty and drive market sales. I was responsible for sales calls, agent training, client presentations and marketing campaigns. I worked as a strategic partner with agency owners and managers to develop marketing plans and successfully drive a larger share of their leisure sales to my brands. I was able to analyze ROI, cost of sale, yield and retention in my sales territory. I was able to meet and exceed my quarterly and annual goals.

• 

  Abercrombie and Kent

  • Southeast Regional Sales Manager

    • Feb 2001 - Dec 2004

    At A&K I managed a 7 state sales territory and was responsible for 16 million in annual sales. I was responsible for sales calls, agency training, client events and marketing campaigns. I managed coop and implemented marketing plans for regional accounts. I worked closely with the international offices of A&K and often did joint presentations to agencies and consumers when they visited the US. My primary responsibility was to sell high end luxury travel under the A&K brand and to know all aspects of the luxury market. I was able to do this through both FIT and group development. I traveled extensively throughout the world and was able to paint a picture of the A&K luxury experience to both clients and agents during my presentations. I met and exceeded my annual goals while in this position.

• 

  Cruise Line Travel

  • Durham, NC

  • Owner, President

    • 1995 - 2000
    • Durham, NC

    I owned and managed a nearly $2 million leisure travel agency which specialized in upscale cruises and tours. I supervised a staff of 3 agents and was responsible for over 60% of the total sales volume. I increased annual revenue by 20% each year I operated the business. I grew the group business by 40% year over year. I was knowledgeable on all cruise lines and visited most ships for all major cruise lines. I took pride in developing close relationships with my clients and providing attention to detail in their leisure travel.

• 

  Millbrook High School

  • Raleigh, NC

  • History Teacher

    • 1986 - 1995
    • Raleigh, NC

    I taught US History, World History, Political Science, Paideia, and Journalism. I was a member of the NC Department of Education Textbook adoption Committee and a member of the Wake County Social Studies Curriculum Development Writing Committee. I was a member of the Wake Country Paideia Curriculum Training Team. I served as newspaper advisor and Student Council advisor.

• 

  Tuskawilla Middle School

  • Oviedo, FL

  • Social Studies Teacher

    • 1976 - 1986
    • Oviedo, FL

    I taught middle school social studies as well as gifted education. I was chairman of the Social Studies Department.