Our team of experts:
♦ John J. Ruzich, OBE
♦ Bob Loeffelman
♦ Jose Garcia
♦ Susan Barber,
Hotel Representation
♦ Adel Black,
Hotel Representation
♦ Christina Mucha,
Airline Representation
John J. Ruzich, OBE
John J. Ruzich, OBE is uniquely recognized as one of the industry's accomplished Tour, Travel and Transportation executives.
During his three decades within the industry he enjoys a well-regarded reputation as one of the most experienced leaders having worked in the Airline, Cruise Line, Tour Operator, Sightseeing and Ferry Transportation segments.
His broad experience includes executive and general management, marketing and distribution functions.
Mr. Ruzich's particular strength lies in working with companies that strategically wish to grow or expand current operations via new products or services and whose future is highly dependant on quality products and Customer Relationship Management.
His senior level experience and industry network is characterized by his current and former board and organizational associations, which include positions such as:
In 1994 Mr. Ruzich was recognized by Queen Elizabeth and made an honorary Officer of the British Empire for his contribution to transatlantic commerce and relationships.
Key industry positions held include, Vice President Marketing & Sales NY Waterway, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Spirit Airlines, Senior Vice President and COO Go America Tours/LTU International Airways, Vice President Sales - Travel Industry Relations Regency Cruise Lines, Managing Director Sales, North America, Pan American World Airways.
Bob Loeffelman
Bob is a graduate of Ithaca College and holds a degree in business administration as well as having taken courses at Cornell University's school of hotel management.
He spent his early hotel career in operations for several well-known companies on New York, and the Caribbean. Among them, Marriott Hotels, and the once prominent New York firm of Knott Hotels.
Later, Bob joined the national sales offices of Radisson Hotels and then Holiday Inns, based in New York Coty for both companies. He was responsible for opening the first national sales of office for the Crowne Plaza division of Holiday Inns.
Bob took advantage of an opportunity to create a new travel firm, and left Holiday Inns to help start Damart Direct Sales. Damart organized a group of independent contractors across American into a second sales force for travel companies wishing to extend their sales reach. Damart sold time on this network to interested travel firms. Damart was eventually incorporated in National Car Rental, and Bob ran the Northeast region as Vice President.
Bob joined Concorde Hotels as the Director of Sales and Marketing in North America. Concorde is a reservation and sales organization representing many fine luxury hotels around the worked and headquartered in Paris.
Bob opened the New York sales office for Royal Palace Hotels. This organization was a joint venture on behalf of the hotels of the Groupe Royal Monceau in France and Cogeta Palace Hotels in Italy.
Deciding it was time to begin his own hotel representation firm; Bob converted his employers into his first clients and opened International Hotel Services, Inc. in 1996. Later he added the prestigious Hotel Bauer in Venice to his portfolio.
Jose Garcia
Mr. Garcia has spent many years of his life in the Travel Industry. Most recently he was a key player in the expansion of Spirit Airlines into Florida. Prior to that he served as Manager of the American Express International Air Tariff Department and also managed the department responsible for securing hotel accommodations for American Express clients.
Mr. Garcia came to American Express from Eastern Airlines, where he held positions ranging from General Sales Agent to Manager of General Sales.
Mr. Garcia served with the United States Air Force and was assigned to an Air Force Base in the United Kingdom. This was a Strategic Air Command Base (SAC) and his mission there called for the safeguarding and maintenance of an inventory of navigational aid equipment. This equipment, not only with value in the millions of dollars, but also with very high sensitivity and security required for success of the United States Mission in Europe. The duties required SECRET Clearance and Mr. Garcia was awarded such clearance by USAFE (United States Air Force in Europe).
Mr. Garcia was born in the Dominican Republic and is fully bilingual (English and Spanish). He attended the school system in New York City and holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, New Jersey.
