Joan Gibbs is now with Travel Leaders Franchise Group as its new franchise development manager, responsible for assisting agencies to grow their businesses. She was most recently with the Jumeirah Group, where she spearheaded its first sales effort in North America. She can be reached at [email protected]. Separately, Travel Leaders Group just launched a worldwide hotel program for all of its brands.
Tony Gonchar is the new VP of the American Express Representative Travel Network. He starts on August 6 and replaces Ellen Bettridge, who is now the president of Silversea Cruises for the Americas. Gonchar was CEO of ASTA and an EVP at Virtuoso.
Orient-Express Hotels named Leslie MacKillop regional director of marketing for North America and the Caribbean; she will also promote the reopening of El Encanto in Santa Barbara, CA, in March 2013. MacKillop reports to Ali Kasikci, regional managing director for North America and the Caribbean; she worked with him on opening the Montage Beverly Hills and at The Peninsula Beverly Hills for more than 10 years.