Beginning this month, in each issue of Business Travel Executive, the members of our Buyer Think Tank offer their individual thoughts on what’s hot, what’s cool and what’s coming next in the business of managed travel. The Think Tank is a team of nine veteran travel managers from programs that run the gamut in size and complexity. But each member contributes a unique viewpoint dealing with specific issues, concepts and solutions that they face in growing their programs – to help you grow yours and to enhance the value of the travel management profession.Travel Buyer’s POV brings fresh perspectives and ideas to inspire innovation and thought leadership in the corporate travel industry. To introduce this new approach, our POV this month presents a look at the Think Tank team who will be sharing their points of view in every issue of BTE.
By Travel Buyers Think Tank
Cheryl Benjamin Travel Services Manager, Dart Container Corporation Cheryl is the Travel Services Manager for Dart Container Corporation, an international manufacturing company headquartered in Mason, MI. She has been involved in the travel industry since 1988, joining Dart in 2001. As the manager of a growing travel department and upon recognizing the savings and efficiencies to be gained, she successfully lobbied to create the CTD in 2006. The CTD team is responsible for handling business travel needs for Dart associates worldwide, including meeting planning, contract negotiations, fleet management, corporate housing, relocation, establishing travel policy, expense reporting and scheduling corporate aircraft. Cheryl serves as a member of ACTE US Council and is Vice-Chair of the Corporate Travel Department Association. Chris Brockman Manager – Travel, Events and Marketing, TriNet With a background in business and communications, Chris’s career in corporate travel began in 2001 with Maritz Corporate Travel which was later acquired by Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Over a period of 9 years, he held a variety of management positions from online booking tool support manager to multi-national account management. Subsequently he transitioned to the buyer side as Travel Manager of Electrolux in 2010. Following 8 years with Electrolux, Chris moved to TriNet where he manages procurement services and manages the travel program.
Gloria A. Gonzalez Director of Travel and Meeting Services, Freeman Gloria has experience in managing relocation, immigration, travel and meetings/events. She has successfully implemented and developed processes and procedures for all areas of responsibility. Prior to her work at Freeman, she spent 20 years with L’hoist North America as the HR mobility manager. Currently, Gloria sits on the GBTA board and is president of the chapter president council. She is a former president and current chair of GBTA-DFW. She is also a member of E.R.C. and has received certifications from both associations.
Rosemary E. Maloney Senior Manager, Global Travel, Tapestry Rosemary E. Maloney has worked in travel and procurement for the past 10 years, most recently as the Senior Manager, Global Travel of Tapestry. She has built her travel program by developing policy, driving savings and managing vendor relationships. Previously, she worked at Egencia, IAC and the United Nations. She holds an MBA from Fordham University and has the Global Travel Professional Certification. She serves on the membership and annual giving committee for Women in Travel (WINiT) and is active in multiple travel associations.
Kevin McDonald Senior Director for Strategic Procurement, PPD PPD is a life science company in Wilmington, NC, where, as Senior Director for Strategic Procurement, Kevin is responsible for all strategic sourcing activities, as well as global travel. His previous experience includes Biogen, a biotech/ pharma company and the Royal Bank of Scotland/Citizens Bank. In both roles, his responsibilities included managing travel and related spend.
Wendy Palmer Manager, Event Experience Team, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) An industry veteran of more than 20 years, Wendy started her career in 1994 with American Airlines. She has spent most of her career in travel management, with expertise in account management, strategic planning and leadership. Wendy recently joined the non-profit Electric Power Research Institute, where she leads the meetings and events program. She is active in both GBTA and the North Carolina BTA, where she currently serves as direct board member. In addition, she serves on the board of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism for Cabarrus County Schools in North Carolina.
David Smith Travel and Relocation Manager, Americas, Amdocs David has over 20 years’ experience in travel management company operations with both government and corporate travel programs. Currently he is the Travel and Relocation Manager for Amdocs, a leader in customer experience software solutions and services for the world’s largest communications, entertainment and media service providers. David’s focus is global travel program operations, corporate travel technology and implementation.
Jennifer Steinke Vice President Global Travel Management, WHoldings Jennifer Steinke is a veteran travel manager and currently Vice President Global Travel Management at WHoldings. Her career spans over 30 years in the corporate travel industry, having served in travel management roles at US Foods, Crowley Maritime and ITT Corporation, with previous experience in travel management companies and a travel technology company. She has a passion for helping companies make their programs more traveler centric, while remaining manager friendly. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Business Administration, a BS in Business Management and an Associate Degree in Sign Language Interpretation as well as her GTP and CCTE designation. She is active in the industry, serving on multiple committees and boards.
Mark Ziegler Senior Travel Manager, NetApp, Inc. Mark Ziegler is a veteran travel manager with a background extending almost 35 years as a travel buyer and supplier. He began his career in a travel management company environment at Cardillo Travel and Hoffman Travel in Los Angeles. Later he worked at Northwest Airlines, Worldspan, and American Express. He moved to the buyer side in 2000 at Agilent Technologies when it split from HP. Currently he is the senior travel manager at NetApp, Inc. He is active in the Bay Area business travel associations BABTA and SVBTA serving on the boards of both.