 |
GetThere's
executive team consists of individuals who have
years of experience in the travel and technology
industries. Their combined knowledge and expertise
brings a superior level of understanding to today's
challenging and ever-changing market needs.
Suzanne Neufang
General Manager, GetThere |
 |
Suzanne Neufang oversees the entire scope of GetThere’s global business, driving the company’s focus on innovation and customer engagement in the corporate travel and collaboration arena. A veteran of more than 15 years in the telecom and travel industries, Suzanne was named general manager of GetThere in June 2010. A recognized leader in the business travel community, Suzanne regularly speaks at corporate travel events and is active in multiple industry organizations.
Previously, Suzanne served as chief marketing officer for GetThere and vice president of corporate segment strategy for Sabre Travel Network, where she was in charge of the global product plan, product marketing, new business development, channel sales and online user experience for GetThere, as well as Sabre’s global GDS strategy in the corporate segment. Suzanne also held leadership roles with Travelocity in cruise products, vacation packaging, and product marketing and corporate travel. Prior to joining the Sabre Holdings family in 2003, she led global online strategy, marketing, user experience and branding for GTE/Verizon in a corporate capacity for nearly a decade.
She holds a masters degree in communications from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, and a bachelor’s degree from Minot State University (North Dakota). |
Kristen Fritschel
Vice President, Sales and New Business Development |
 |
As Vice President of Sales and New Business Development for GetThere, Kristen Fritschel leads an active sales team responsible for new sales in both the large corporate and mid corporate market segments. Kristen has lead sales, client management, solution marketing and new business development in a variety of roles with Sabre Holdings for the last 20 years. Previously, she was in charge of the North American region for Sabre Airline Solutions, where she managed the sales and account management teams and functions, supporting more than 100 airline customers for Sabre’s airline technology business. Under Kristen’s leadership, new sales, customer partnerships and customer satisfaction grew substantially across the region. Kristen holds a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Attending a conference in Cape Cod, I flew on one of my customer’s nine seat aircraft (Cape Air) from Boston. The really fun part was the connection via Nantucket on a beautiful sunny day!"
Favorite destination:
"Growing up in the Rockies, I love to go anywhere where there are mountains, especially 14ers!" |
Duane Futch
Vice President, Travel Procurement Strategy |
 |
Duane Futch joined GetThere in 2008 after ten successful years as director of Wal-Mart’s global travel division. Duane assists clients, prospects and agency resellers in analyzing travel programs from a procurement perspective and devising configurable solutions that leverage GetThere’s automation and support infrastructure. During his tenure at Wal-Mart, Duane grew the company’s U.S. travel department into a world-class global program, with deployment in 12 countries serving 500,000 travelers. He created the first-ever U.S. point-of-sale and multi-currency transaction model to facilitate international financial settlement of air ticketing processes. Duane was named the Travel Manager of the Year in 2006 and one of the Top 25 Most Influential Executives in 2007 by Business Travel News magazine. Duane is a graduate of Florida Institute of Technology where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree, and holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. |
Jan Eaken
Vice President, Service Delivery |
 |
Jan Eaken is responsible for GetThere’s Service Delivery organization, which includes Professional Services, Site Management, Product Support and Training. With more than 30 years experience in the travel and transportation industry, Jan’s background includes service, sales and account experience. Before joining GetThere in 2005, Jan's team oversaw billing and order management for Sabre Travel Network, as well as product support for Sabre Airline Solutions, providing technical support to airlines around the globe. Her diverse background gives her a unique perspective and a drive to provide the best possible experience for GetThere’s customers. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"My first visit to Uruguay.
After spending several days in Montevideo
interviewing, a friend and I decided
to stay an extra night and drive
to the Punta del Este resort area.
We were expecting a sleepy, quaint
beach, but as we rounded a curve
we were greeted by the site of an
area that looked like Miami Beach.
We were stunned by its beauty and
really enjoyed our short stay."
Favorite destination:
"Kauai. Love the beaches and
golf courses. It is a beautiful place
and very relaxing." |
Denise Beckmann
Vice President, Client Services |
 |
Denise Beckmann's responsibilities
include leading the Customer Success
Management and Global Professional Services;
which includes Project Management, Site
Management and GetThere University. With
more than 10 years in the corporate online
space, and another 10 in travel, Denise’s
background includes service, customer
implementation and support, and training. Denise’s
focus for the Customer Success team is
ensuring our customers meet their travel
goals and initiatives set for their online
programs through quality implementation,
innovative customer training and planning,
goals setting and scorecard measurements. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Visiting a customer in Ventura,
Calif. Our main contact entertained
me by personally flying me in her
private plane to Catalina for dinner.
It was a beautiful adventure."
Favorite destination:
"South Padre Island, for its
beautiful beach and warm water. I
would go in early September, because
it's very quiet." |
Steve Chomik
Director, Government Programs |
 |
With more than 25 years
in the travel industry, Steve Chomik leads GetThere's
Government Programs, working closely
with partners to develop online solutions
that deliver high value and cost savings
to government clients. He has also managed
GetThere's Global Strategic Alliances
and developed, then later ran GetThere's
Partner Program, one of the largest distributor
programs in the online travel industry.
Steve has extensive experience working
directly with corporate customers, both
in sales and account management positions.
Steve holds an M.B.A. from the University
of North Texas and earned his bachelor's
degree in Business Administration with
an emphasis in marketing from Loyola
Marymount University. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Nepal, where I had an opportunity
to tour numerous attractions in the
area including Tiger Camp where tigers
and exotic animals roamed free. What
an experience!"
Favorite destination:
"Any destination with beautiful
beaches. You name it, I'm there!" |
Paul Wiley
Director, Product Marketing |
 |
Paul Wiley is responsible for customer needs analysis, product investment strategy, delivery and market management. He oversees a team of marketers in Europe and North American that cover all global regions. Paul has spent more than four years with GetThere/Sabre Holdings with roles in sales strategy, partner marketing and product marketing. Paul also spent several years in growing management responsibilities at United Airlines. His time focused in the corporate sales, strategy and product management organizations. This included the leadership of a team of product managers responsible for delivering targeted products to the small and medium sized corporate customers. Paul graduated from The College of Wooster (OH). |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Traveling through Europe on an extended business trips is always a great experience. The diverse customer interactions and experiences during these trips never get old."
Favorite destination:
"Barcelona, and in particular the hills just outside the city overlooking the Mediterranean. Of course I’m biased, as that is where my wife and I were married several years ago." |
Jason Geall
Director, GetThere Europe, Middle East and Africa |
 |
Jason Geall is responsible for GetThere's business across the EMEA region including marketing, sales and service. He oversees an active GetThere EMEA team in the areas of direct and partner sales, customer service and marketing. Jason joined GetThere in 2009 after three successful years as the head of UK sales for Eurostar, a leading high-speed passenger train operator connecting the UK and the European continent. Prior to Eurostar, Jason was national sales manager for Jobsite.co.uk, a leading Internet recruiting solution for recruitment agencies and corporations. The Alpha Forum Network, a UK-based travel industry networking group, named him Young Manager of the Year in 2007, presenting the award at the British Travel Industry's Annual Hall of Fame induction event. |
Rodolfo Silva
Director, GetThere Latin America |
 |
Rodolfo Silva is responsible for GetThere's business across the Latin America region including marketing, sales and service. He oversees a team that manages the entire scope of services for GetThere clients and travel agency resellers in Latin America, from sales and implementation to ongoing account management and customer success delivery. In addition to driving new business in Latin America, Rodolfo also coordinates expansion plans into the region for the multi-national corporations already using GetThere in North America and other continents. In 1999, Rodolfo developed and implemented the strategy for the first corporate online booking tool in Latin America. Since then, he has captured an extensive base of corporate customers, with prominent global brands and more than two dozen travel management companies throughout Latin America. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"When I came back from a business
trip with the first GetThere contract
from a Latin America customer under
my arm. That day I thought we had
set a precedent in the way companies
in Latin America would manage their
travel programs online. I am now
sure I was 100 percent right that
day."
Favorite destination:
"It's hard to say that after
visiting more than 43 countries around
the globe, but if I had to choose,
then all the main cities in the Nordic
strip are at the top of my list." |
Grant Rattray
Director, GetThere Asia-Pacific |
 |
Grant Rattray was named
Director of GetThere's Asia-Pacific division
in July 2008. Grant is responsible for
GetThere's business across the region,
including marketing, sales and service.
He brings a wide range of experience
in sales, marketing and strategic development,
having served in the travel industry
for the past seven years. Prior to his
current role, Grant focused on GetThere
and corporate strategy for three years
with Sabre Pacific. Before joining Sabre
in 2005, Grant spent more than four years
with Thrifty Car Rental as the company's
business development manager and online
manager, responsible for sales and marketing
for the Web, corporate partnerships and
loyalty programs. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Recently, I visited our operation
in Montevideo and had the opportunity
to visit Buenos Aires. I was amazed
by this beautiful city and encountered
interesting and delightful people."
Favorite destination:
"I am fortunate to have visited
many parts of the world; however,
the Alps and the wine country in
the south of France stand out most
vividly." |
Jeremy Stubbs
Director, Go-to-Market Strategy |
 |
Jeremy Stubbs is responsible for
business development and pricing across
GetThere's portfolio of products and
business partnerships. Prior to his current
role at GetThere, Jeremy was Director
of GetThere Meetings Management and Ground
Transportation. Before joining GetThere
in April 2004, Jeremy worked in marketing
strategy for Sabre Holdings, focusing
on GDS pricing strategy and online travel.
He created alternative business models
for the Sabre Travel Network's GDS business
in advance of GDS deregulation in 2004.
Jeremy holds a master's degree in business
administration from Texas Tech University
and a bachelor's degree from Trinity
University in San Antonio, Texas. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Watching a Chicago Cubs game
from the rooftop of a brownstone
house across the street from Wrigley
Field."
Favorite destination:
"Destinations with plenty
of beach and sun are high on my list,
although it is hard to beat the smile
on my kids' faces at Disney World." |
Peter Zafiridis
Vice President, Marketing |
 |
Peter Zafiridis currently
oversees the global marketing strategy
and direction for all GetThere external
marketing including advertising, customer
acquisition, events, Web/online and promotions.
Peter began his career in the advertising
agency world managing high-profile B2B
and B2C accounts such as Exxon, Doubletree
Hotels and AT&T Wireless before moving
to Sabre and ultimately GetThere, where
he has been in his current role for five
years. Previously, Peter managed Brand
Marketing for Sabre Travel Network, where
he spearheaded a major global brand repositioning,
and successfully launched a broad array
of new software applications, Internet
products, and travel services. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"I truly enjoyed my most recent
trip to London. I had the rarity
of a free afternoon to do some sightseeing
and spent those hours exploring some
of London's most popular sites. The
city's architecture and its rich
history were amazing, and it was a
great reminder of why I love the
work that I do."
Favorite destination:
"I'm game for anywhere with
a beach and lots of sun. If I had
to pick one, though, it'd have to
be Santorini, Greece. Absolutely
beautiful." |
Jim French
Vice President, Software Development and Technical Operations |
 |
Jim French brings more than 20 years of IT experience in the travel industry to his role of vice president of software development and technical operations for GetThere. He is responsible for the operation of the GetThere platform and associated support tools as well as the technical development of new features and capabilities. Jim has served in various capacities in his 20-plus years at Sabre including programmer/analyst, application and system architect, infrastructure delivery, operations engineer, and product and system delivery management. Jim firmly believes that IT can assist the business and its users by building robust, scalable systems that facilitate the rapid development of new features that delight our customers. Jim holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin. |
Most memorable business travel
experience:
"Back in my airline days, we took a helicopter from JFK into Manhattan, reaching there at twilight and as the pilot changed direction, that famous, iconic skyline seemed to just magically appear before us with the setting sun behind it. Since it was my first time in the U.S. (and in a helicopter), it was a truly breath-taking moment."
Favorite destination:
"Italy – la dolce vita, if a two-hour lunch is seen as rushing, then count me in!" |
|
Biz Week No Boundaries
More than 10 million bookings annually with unmatched system uptime means companies rely on GetThere. Download the Business Week Editorial.
|
 |
