Introducing the members of Business Travel Executive’s new Buyer Think Tank
For over a quarter century, Business Travel Executive has made its top priority to listen and respond to you, our readers – your concerns, your ideas and your professional goals. After all, when it comes to managed travel, nobody knows it better than you. Our purpose as a magazine is to be a conduit between some of you who have gained some key understanding or perceived a rising trend, and the rest of the community of travel buyers who need to have this knowledge.
Now we have taken that role as information conduit and created a more formal approach to delivering thought leadership and innovation in managed travel. BTE has established a Buyer Think Tank, made up of six individuals from a variety of corporate programs and with a wide range of experience. Each one brings to our pages solid expertise, different perspectives and a strong voice that reflects the concerns and challenges of the industry.
One purpose of the Think Tank is to act as editorial advisors, providing grist for the BTE mill, so we can continue to bring you the most original, thought provoking stories on questions that impact our industry and your travel programs. And beyond that, they provide a clear bellwether for trends and topics that are only just on the horizon, giving us even more timely insights into the issues managed travel will face tomorrow.
So herewith, we introduce to you the members of the Business Travel Executive Buyer Think Tank.
Cheryl Benjamin, Travel Services Manager
Dart Container CorporationCheryl’s experience in the travel industry goes back to 1988. In 2001, she joined Dart Container Corporation, an international manufacturing company headquartered in Mason, MI. As the Travel Services Manager of a growing travel department, Cheryl recognized the savings and efficiencies to be gained from establishing a CTD, and 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.
Kevin McDonald, Senior Director for Strategic Procurement
PPDPPD 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. Prior to PPD, he worked at Biogen, a biotech/pharma company in the Cambridge, MA, area, and previously at the Royal Bank of Scotland/Citizens Bank. In both of these roles, his responsibilities included managing travel and related spend.
Rosemary E Maloney, Senior Manager, Global Travel
CoachRosemary E Maloney has worked in travel and procurement for the past 10 years, with her most recent position being the senior manager, global travel of Coach. She has built her travel program administration by developing policy, driving savings and focusing on vendor relationship management. Previously, she has worked at Egencia, IAC and the United Nations. Rosemary holds a MBA from Fordham University and also earned the Global Travel Professional Certification. She serves on the Membership and Annual Giving Committee for Women in Travel (WINiT) and is actively involved multiple travel associations.
David L. Smith, Travel and Relocation Manager
Amdocs AmericasDavid has over 20 years in the corporate travel industry, having worked 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 special focus is on global travel program operations, corporate travel technology, and implementations.
Jennifer Steinke, Manager, Corporate Travel
Dycom Industries, Inc.Jennifer is a veteran travel manager with a career that spans over 29 years in the corporate travel industry. She has served as Director of Corporate Travel, Meetings and Expense at US Foods, Travel Manager at Crowley Maritime and ITT Corporation, with previous experience in travel management companies and a travel technology company. She has a passion for preparing companies for changes in their program to become more Traveler-centric, while remaining Manager-friendly. Her diverse background gives her a unique skill set in developing world class managed travel programs.
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 very active in the industry and serves on multiple industry 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 in the industry at Northwest Airlines, Worldspan, and American Express. He moved to the buyer side of the industry in 2000 at Agilent Technologies when it split from HP. Currently he is the senior travel manager at NetApp, Inc. He has been active in the Bay Area business travel associations BABTA and SVBTA serving on the boards of both. He is the current vice president of the Global Business Travel Association.