HODGE PODGE: Shifts, Shakeups and Occasional Shaftings in the Tour and Travel Industry

Jeffrey Vasser has been appointed executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism. He succeeds Jake Buganski, who had been acting executive director from December 2016 until his departure in March, when he joined a marketing and advertising firm in Philadelphia. Vasser accepted the job just weeks after he taken over as director of the Central Pennsylvania CVB. Before joining the latter, Vasser has served as director general and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and as president and chief operating officer of the Atlantic City CVA.

Roselle Masse has been named contract manager USA West, for World2Meet. She joins the company from Meeting Point North America, where she was West Coast marketing manager.Previously, Masse was a director at Teamamerica and Allied T Pro.

In France, Carole Ange, the executive director ofTravel & Co. brands Terres de Charme and Back Roads—the latter sells Visit USA product in France—has left the company. She will not It be replaced. Instead, Jacques Judéaux, founding president of Travel & Co, has taken over Ange’s assignments. Ange joined the company in June 2016. Her departure follows that of Claude Banc, founding co-president of Travel & Company, who left the organization earlier this year.

Anjuli Derien is the new group tour manager at Visit Savannah. She replaces Melissa Hayes, who is moving to Charleston, S.C. to join her husband, who has accepted a job offer there. Before joining Visit Savannah, Derien served tenures at several area hotels, most recently as group sales manager for the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton.

Gail Grimmett is leaving her post as president of Travel Leaders Luxury Brands overseeing high-end travel agencies Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group, Andrew Harper Travel, Colletts Travel, R. Crusoe and All Star Travel Group. It is not known where Grimmett’s plans are. She joined Travel Leaders Group in 2016 following a 19-year career at Delta Air Lines, most recently as senior vice president-New York.Travel Leaders Group said the leadership of Protravel International and Tzell Travel Group will transition to long-time industry veterans Becky Powell, Cindy Schlansky and Monty Swaney. Powell will continue to lead Protravel International, now as president, while Schlansky and Swaney will continue in their senior leadership roles at Tzell, now serving as co-presidents.

Charles Hill II has been named vice president of strategic development for Experience Columbus. He joins the organization from Rev1 Ventures, where he served as director of community outreach. Previously, he was senior relationship manager with United Way of Central Ohio.

Liz Ryan is returning to Saga Travel after a spell at Wendy Wu Tours after joining the latter at the beginning of the year as business development manager for North West England and the Midlands.

Ryan has been named senior regional sales manager, responsible for managing the senior travel specialist operator’s regional trade sales team.In her previous tenure with Saga, Ryan was responsible for the north-west region in a field sales role. She has also previously worked for AffordableCarHire.com, Travel Supermarket and Global Travel Group.

Advantage Travel Partnership has promoted Julia Lo Bue-Said to the position of chief executive. Lo Bue-Said has been managing director of the consortium for five years, having held leisure and commercial director roles at the business before that.

Tara Didi has left the inbound side of the tour and travel business, departing her position as New York City regional director/director of global sales for the Leisure Pass Group to become product and distribution manager for Visit Britan.