Peter Valiando 617-***-**** . ********@*****.***
* **** *****, *********, **, 21401
Senior Travel Executive
Proven profit driver. A vigilant, innovative driver of bottom line
results, excellence and growth who has consistently delivered results for
over 30 years in strong or weak economies, established or startup
businesses by building strong teams with shared values.
Strategist who can clearly communicate the company's vision, identify and
leverage trends, develop and mentor a strong management team to exploit
market opportunities and understand the complex needs and solutions
required of its business customers.
Leader who has motivated his organization and has promoted a culture of
shared values and high performance.
Experience and Achievements
PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES, INC. Bellevue, WA. 2005-2010
[Privately held company with $50MM Revenue providing luxury cruise
vacations in French Polynesia & South Pacific]
Chief Operating Officer
Transformed a marginally performing entity into a highly profitable
business. Full P&L accountability for a $50MM business. Developed,
implemented, and drove business plans that doubled operating margins and
tripled profit margins. Provided vision and strategy to rebrand and
reposition a niche travel business into a destination specialist and
market leader in the luxury segment. Built infrastructure and a high
performing, values based culture. Led, and motivated 30-person
organization (sales, marketing, operations, finance and administration).
. Introduced new products, strategy of managing customer acquisition costs
by distribution channel, pricing strategy "Giving Value to Luxury" that
resulted in a 20 point improvement in occupancy and an 11 point
improvement in renewal rate ($8MM).
. Reorganized Sales Organization to better serve and grow Top Producing
Accounts with Field Sales Team, introduced Inside Sales Team to improve
lead generation and grow other producing accounts and prospects,
identify new business opportunities and in call center introduced
multiple call queues, standards and scripting that doubled sales
conversion ratio.
. Spearheaded direct marketing approach that grew direct consumer channel
from 3% to 15% ($0.7MM)
. Renegotiated suppliers and concessionaires. Replaced ground operator and
went direct to suppliers on hotels, shore excursions and transfers
saving $2MM annually.
. Sourced and negotiated business acquisition with luxury hotel operator
resulting in a business combination and creation of a market leading
destination specialist in French Polynesia's luxury vacation market.
GRAND CIRCLE CRUISE LINE Boston, MA. 2003-2005
[Privately held company with $400MM Revenue provides value based worldwide
vacations]
Chief Financial Officer
Led team through a rapid expansion and 40% growth of small ship fleet. Key
member of the executive management team responsible for driving growth and
improving operations. Lead team of 20. Directed new business development,
budgeting & planning, product pricing and costing, profitability &
marketing analysis, finance & accounting.
. Identified growth opportunities for expansion in small ship fleet
resulting in 40% expansion in ship capacity and $16MM improvement in
EBIDTA
. Drove $3MM annual improvement in optional tour and shop income while
improving excellence by 10 points through enhanced learning & discovery.
. Implemented changes in legal structure of foreign entities that resulted
in $3.5MM in VAT recoveries and future tax avoidance of $2MM annually.
FAR&WIDE Travel Fort Lee, NJ, 1998-2003
[Venture Capital funded rollup of worldwide tour operators with $250MM in
Revenue]
Chief Financial Officer - European Division
Developed and implemented business plans to integrate tour operators
eliminating $20MM in overhead expenses. Provided executive and strategic
leadership at both the division and corporate levels of the organization.
Responsible for driving profitability, operational improvements and
control. Lead team of 15 people. Directed financial and management
reporting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, product pricing/costing,
systems and accounting. Managed the corporate financial services center
which was responsible for treasury function and cash management.
. Eliminated marginal products & refocused team on improving margins and
quality on reduced line of escorted tours in Italy & Ireland resulting
in a 10 point improvement in profitability & excellence.
. Identified and implemented a change in legal structure that allowed for
the recovery of VAT on Italiand ground costs saving $1MM annually.
. Spearheaded the rollout of an integrated travel management software
package throughout the seven acquired European tour operators.
JMH Developments New York, NY, 1994-1998
[Real Estate Development & Construction Company]
Chief Financial Officer
Refocused a struggling commercial construction company into a profitable
real estate development company. Provided executive and strategic
leadership to owner and management team. Responsible for all commercial
aspects of business.
Cunard Line limited New York, NY, 1978-1994
[Public Company subsidiary with $500MM in Revenue providing World-wide
luxury cruise vacations.]
VP Financial/Operational Planning, 1990-1994,
Delivered innovative analytical solutions that drove $6MM in profit
improvements. Managed team of six analysts. Responsible for P&L
forecasting, planning, profitability analysis, and risk management.
. Adopted Top Product focus to analyzing over 1,000 products offered.
Eliminated marginal/negative contributing products resulting in $1MM
profit improvement. Refocused team on driving P&L growth on Top Products
through pricing and cost reductions.
. Recovered over $5MM in increased operating expenses that were
recoverable under company insurance policies.
Director, Ship/Hotel Operational Planning, 1981-1990
Led project teams on two successful business acquisitions and three
successful ship conversions. Partnered with Senior VP on all ship and
hotel business development projects. Managed four analysts and various
contract staff. Responsible for investment analysis and recommendations
on hotel and ship business opportunities. Participated in due diligence
and led project teams on several acquisition/conversion projects.
. Recovered $30MM in claims from underwriters/shipyard related to late re-
delivery of project.
. Commercial lead on $150MM QE2 re-engine/hotel conversion project.
. Led team on sale/leaseback acquisition of Sea Goddesses from Norske
Cruises.
. Participated in defending against a US shipyard's attempt to change $5MM
fixed price into $10MM cost plus job
. Led team on successful acquisition of Norwegian America Cruises.
Manager Financial Planning & Analysis, 1978-1981
Developed Cunardcare, self insured travel cancellation insurance program
which became a $20MM annual profit center. Responsible for forecast and
budgeting process. Directed 3
Education
Columbia university (1994) Masters of Business Administration / Major:
Finance