Atlas Ocean Voyages is strengthening its trade strategy via several new appointments to its sales and guest services team. The hirings come just a couple weeks after the cruise line appointed Kristian Anderson as executive vice president of global sales. He was tasked with deepening Atlas’ “trade-first strategy.”
Among the new hires are KellyPopovski (senior director, field sales), RichardWhitaker (director, national accounts), LoganSteele (regional sales director, Southeast USA), JuanLopez (director, guest services) and PedroJaimot (director, charter & MICE operations).
Anderson said the sales team “enhances our resources and strengthens our valued partnerships with the travel advisor community, which remains an essential partner in our ongoing success as we continue to grow as a company.”
About the New Appointments
Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.As senior director, Popovski will lead Atlas’s team of field sales for North America. She began her career with Norwegian Cruise Line, where she held progressive roles within the sales organization, forging strong relationships with the travel advisor community. As a founding team member at Virgin Voyages, she was instrumental in developing the sales organization and leading the Charters and Incentives division.
Separately, Whitaker brings nearly a decade of cruise sales experience, including roles with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Azamara Cruises, to Atlas Ocean Voyages. In his new role as director, national accounts, he is responsible for increasing Atlas’s presence with consortia partners and national accounts by developing customized marketing and sales strategies.
New regional sales director Steele will support travel partners across the Southeast U.S. He comes with a cruise industry background in sales and sales support and is a graduate of Florida State University.Lopez now leads Atlas’s global reservation team of Voyage Specialists, bringing experience in guest reservations and operations from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. A graduate of Florida International University’s Hospitality & Tourism program, he is focused on enhancing the guest experience from the first point of contact.
Reporting to Robert Cao, Vice President of Charter & MICE, Jaimot brings over 15 years of experience in cruise sales, marketing and operations. His background includes key roles at Star Clippers, Landry & Kling, Cruise Planners and Ponant. At Atlas, he will focus on expanding and refining charter and MICE offerings.
Department of Operations and Systems Development
In addition, Isabel Galvan has been appointed Vice President, Commercial Operations & Systems Development. This move comes as Atlas Ocean Voyages establishes a new Department of Operations and Systems Development to oversee the day-to-day operational functions of the business. This department will ensure that critical systems, including reservations and IT infrastructure, are functioning at optimal levels.
The new department, additionally, will facilitate the research, development and implementation of new technologies to support the evolving needs of the business. Galvan has extensive experience in the cruise industry and a track record as a key stakeholder in both marketing and sales. She will continue to report to James A. Rodriguez, President and CEO.
