Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/910090
10 B M & T ••• September/October 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com N E W S M A K E R S Aviation Industry Veteran Brings More Than 25 Years of Experience to New Position Sunrise Airways has bolstered its executive team with the appointment of Richard M. Rose to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). A veteran of more than 25 years in the aviation industry, Mr. Rose has served in manage- rial, administrative, and consulta- tive capacities with a wide range of air- line concerns around the world, including Air Jamaica and IBC Airways in the Caribbean. "The type of broad and aggressive expansion we have planned for elevating air travel throughout the Caribbean requires accomplished talent on a level possessed by Mr. Rose," said Philippe Bayard, president of Sunrise Airways. "We couldn't be more pleased to have him aboard." A licensed pilot with 7,000+ hours of flight experience, Mr. Rose sp ent the bulk of his career with Air Jamaica (1990–2001) prima- rily overseeing cargo operations and working in sales. His eight years at IBC Airways saw Mr. Rose progressively advance from sta- tion operations and passenger services positions to eventually being named Vice President, Passenger Services, a position he held from 2012-2014. In his short time at Sunrise Airways, Mr. Rose has already over- se en the diversification and expansion of the airline's fleet, spear- heading the introduction of its first-ever jet service aboard a new 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft in January 2017. For more information on Sunrise Airways, please visit www.Sun- riseAirways.net SUNRISE AIRWAYS NAMES RICHARD M. ROSE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER MEET PUERTO RICO APPOINTS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Milton Segarra, CDMA, president & CEO, Meet Puerto Rico (MPR), the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) responsible for attracting meet- ings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events and incentive groups to Puerto Rico, announced the appointment of Gabriela Ong as Vice President of Sales. Ong is responsible for driving sales and attracting and growing brand awareness to Puerto Rico through meeting and incentive sales and the devel- opment of new marketing events. "Since Gabriela joined us three years ago, her talents and expertise as a meetings sales professional, her enthusiasm and new contacts have helped grow our sales in the Northeast," noted Segarra. "We are thrilled that she has accepted the role of VP of Sales to help communicate and sell Puerto Rico to the meetings and conventions market as a bucket list destination that goes beyond the conventional. We are confident that her leader- ship abilities and passion for Puerto Rico will greatly benefit Meet Puerto Rico, our team and our members and lead to increased economic impact." Together with the Meet Puerto Rico team, Ong will be responsible for leading the recently announced aggressive fiscal year sales program that includes approximately 60 sales and promotional events, i ncluding trade fairs, press trips and net- working activities, in cities such as Frankfurt (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Mexico City (Mexico), Chicago (USA), Orlando (USA), Las Vegas (USA), Toronto (Canada) and Montego Bay (Jamaica). Based in the New York area, Ong has more than 16 years of sales experience in the hospitality industry including the past three as Brand Sales Manager, Northeast for Meet Puerto Rico. Before joining Meet Puerto Rico in 2014, Ong was Group Sales Manager at the InterContinental New York Barclay. She man- aged and built accounts within the financial and communica- tions industries and has worked with sports, association, educa- tion and legal group markets. Prior to that she held the Sales Manager position for various hotel brands such as: Marriott International, Sheraton Stamford, InterContinental New York Barclay and InterContinental New York Times Square. Ong has a Bachelor of Science with a major in Business Administration from Marist College in NY. In her new role at Meet Puerto Rico, she will oversee sales efforts worldwide.