Meet the Innovative Team Leading Avoya Travel
Tracing our roots back more than 50 years, Avoya Travel® is a company built on the simple beliefs of family, unity and love of travel. From humble beginnings, Avoya has grown into one of the world’s most innovative marketing and travel technology companies.
We created a unique platform that uses technology to bring human touch back into the vacation planning experience and puts independent travel experts at the forefront.
While we’ve stood by our commitment to continuous innovation as the industry evolves, our brand’s purpose — enriching lives through inspiring travel experiences — remains the same.
Creating the Travel Brand of the Future
We had our most successful year yet in 2018, with a double digit increase in sales and a more than 20% increase in Network growth from the previous year. Much of that success is powered by Avoya 2025, our innovative five-phase roadmap for becoming the number one vacation platform that generates more Shared Success™ for travelers, suppliers, and the Avoya Travel Network™.
Following our record-setting success, Avoya is poised for continued growth in 2019 and beyond. To bring Avoya’s vision into fruition, we’ve brought together a talented team of innovative thinkers to spearhead Avoya 2025 initiatives that promote more growth and success for our stakeholders.
A Strong Team of Leaders
Co-Presidents
The next generation of Andersons are continuing the family legacy of innovation and industry leadership. As newly appointed Co-Presidents, Jeff Anderson and Michael Anderson will lead the Avoya 2025 strategy and inspire future company evolution.
For more than 15 years, Jeff and Michael have shared responsibility in growing the business with their complementary skill sets. Jeff’s ingenuity in sales and marketing and Michael’s talent for developing technology have harmoniously helped grow Avoya and advance our unique approach of integrating technology and people to improve the vacation planning experience and generate more success for travel professionals and suppliers.
Strategic Leadership Team
Sam McCully, Senior Vice President of Marketing, joined the Avoya family in 2013. Instrumental in developing Avoya’s brand strategy, Sam has led the company’s award-winning marketing initiatives that have generated more success for both travelers and new Independent Agencies in the Avoya Network.
A key leader, Sam has been influential in creating more modern and interactive ways for Independent Agencies to connect with travelers. His teams are delivering more personalized content and better online experiences to consumers while creating stronger customer value and retention.
Steve Hirshan, Senior Vice President of Sales, brings over 30 years of travel industry experience to the Avoya team. Starting as an Independent Agency owner, two years later Steve joined the executive team and he currently leads initiatives that support Independent Agencies with all aspects of their business.
As part of Avoya 2025, we’re investing more into helping Network members grow sales and improve workflow. Avoya is increasing Independent Agency support with enhancements to our patented Travel Agency Operating System™ - Agent Power™, an expanded Mastermind Program™, and award-winning education program offered in partnership with CLIA and much more.
Cultivating supplier partnerships and overseeing corporate planning and operations, Ashley Hunter capitalizes on her more than 12 years of leadership experience at Avoya in her role as Senior Vice President of Strategic Operations and Partnerships.
Her teams are driving company success and Avoya 2025 by expanding supplier partnerships to generate new markets of customers, growing Avoya’s portfolio in the all-inclusive resort space, providing more visibility on performance analysis for increasing overall profitability, and strengthening collaboration and access to the Avoya Network using new two-way channel technology.
Daniel Rego, Vice President of Business Intelligence, brings over 15 years of expertise to Avoya. He has played a critical role in leveraging data analysis in strategic business decisions and driving sales growth. Daniel and his team play a crucial part in shaping our future.
Co-Founders
Over many decades, brothers Van and Brad Anderson together led Avoya in becoming one of the world’s most innovative travel brands. Today as Co-Founders they continue to build Avoya’s long-standing reputation for Integrity and Professionalism™ and provide important counsel, long-term strategic planning and advisory to Avoya’s leadership team.
A Different, Better Type of Network
With a strong support staff of over 170 members, and a thriving Network comprised of over 1,250 Independent Agencies, opportunities abound for travel entrepreneurs interested in being their own boss, owning their own independent travel business and living the life of their dreams.
Independent Agencies in the Avoya Network are finding greater success than ever before due to Avoya’s unique offerings. Live Leads™, new clients accessible 24/7 and sent directly to Independent Agencies; patented technology to help travel professionals manage their business from anywhere, anytime; and unparalleled support to help agencies achieve their maximum sales potential are just a few of the many reasons travel professionals are choosing to join the Avoya Network.
Avoya has programs for both experienced agencies and those new to travel. Travel agency owners, travel professionals and others interested in owning and operating their own travel business should contact Avoya Travel at 855-875-5861 or visit www.JoinAvoya.com.
