New Leadership Structure announced at global travel family
– Following the company’s recent announcement of its acquisition by global travel retailer Flight Centre Limited, Cathy Pelaez has been named President of the retail organization Liberty Travel and home office support operations at LibGo Travel. Dean Smith has been named President of wholesale division GOGO Worldwide Vacations.
Cathy has led a prosperous 25 years with a company that spans over half a century in travel and tourism. She has risen through the ranks from retail sales agent, manager, and divisional sales manager to Executive Vice President and most recently, Chief Operating Officer. Recognized by Travel Agent Magazine as one of the most powerful women in travel, and participates in several industry advisory boards.
Cathy will continue to be responsible for the company’s overall results in all aspects with the spotlight on sales, marketing, customer service, operations, training, and human resources. Her new role will also incorporate the implementation of strategic initiatives to successfully integrate Flight Centre’s business model and philosophies into the existing business and culture.
Dean has spent the last 12 years with Flight Centre Limited including experience in the Australian company’s retail, wholesale and product fields. Most recently he was responsible for successfully running Flight Centre’s entire wholesale business in Australia whose sales exceeded $500,000,000. Dean will primarily be responsible for managing GOGO’s business operations in the United States, as well as leading the company’s product team. Dean will also oversee the implementation of GOGO’s growth strategy to be recognized as the best travel wholesaler in America.
Liberty Travel and GOGO Worldwide Vacations have remained leaders in the forefront of the travel industry for over 55 years, a testimonial to the travel organization’s ability to change and adapt through strategic planning initiatives, along with good old-fashioned common sense combined with sheer hard work.
“I am thrilled to be leading our organization through the exciting journey in the next phase of our incredible history†said Pelaez. “We are well positioned for profitable growth and tremendous success in our futureâ€.
“I am very much looking forward to both the opportunity and the challenge of leading GOGO Worldwide Vacations in continuing to be the country’s leading wholesale distributor of vacation packages†said Smith. “GOGO has a terrific team and I am excited about the growth potential of the business, specifically through the introduction of new destinations, including access to Flight Centre’s global product networkâ€.
As part of a global organization, Liberty Travel and GOGO Worldwide Vacations are now part of Flight Centre’s global family of 17 existing retail, wholesale and corporate divisions and reports through the North American head office led by Greg Dixon. The vision is to become the largest and most profitable offline retail and wholesale travel company in the United States.
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