by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Tue September 24, 2024
WHY IT RATES: Travel
agents and advisors should familiarize themselves with the Huna Totem
Corporation and its new vice president, Susan Bell.—Donald Wood, Breaking News
Senior Writer.
To build on the learnings, momentum and success of the past
50 years, Huna Totem Corporation (HTC) is welcoming seasoned executives and
experts who will help propel the Alaska Native village corporation into an even
more fruitful future.
Today, the company announced the formation of the Huna Totem
Corporation Tourism Advisory Board, which includes travel and cruise industry
experts who will help guide the company’s tourism strategy and initiatives and
help strengthen its leadership position in the industry. In addition, Susan
Bell has joined the company as vice president of strategic initiatives,
responsible for overseeing and executing high impact projects.
On the advisory board are well recognized leaders: Charlie
Ball, Susan Bell, Craig Milan and Howard Sherman. Bringing a wealth of
expertise across finance, policy and research, and business and travel
consulting, these advisory board members will support HTC’s management team
through non-binding, strategic guidance. Their expertise will be instrumental
as the corporation grows its footprint across Alaska and beyond, leveraging the
success of Icy Strait Point, its 20-year-old award-winning cruise destination.
The company is already extending this winning model to other locations in
Alaska including destinations in Klawock and Whittier.
“I’m so proud of the work we do at Huna Totem Corporation to
not only enrich the lives of our shareholders but also deliver incredible and
authentic Alaska experiences to our visitors,” said Russell Dick, Huna Totem
Corporation president and CEO. “As we continue to build our business, we are
honored to have the support and insights of these respected and accomplished
industry leaders.”
The Huna Totem Corporation Tourism Advisory Board members
are:
Charlie Ball
A long-time Holland America executive, Charlie Ball served
as president of Holland America - Princess Alaska as well as executive vice
president of land operations and customer service at Holland America Group.
Ball has overseen worldwide port and shore operations, cruise tour operations
and community and government relations. He has also served as senior advisor to
Holland America.
Susan Bell
Susan Bell, a lifelong Alaskan now residing in Juneau, has
over two decades in tour operations and destination marketing. She previously
served as president of McKinley Research Group, commissioner of the Alaska
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, and vice president
of Goldbelt, Inc., Juneau's Alaska Native corporation. Currently, she is
assisting the University of Alaska President in launching a new Arctic
Leadership Initiative, and she just joined HTC as vice president of strategic
initiatives. Given her recent appointment with HTC, Bell will be replaced on
the advisory board in the coming months.
Craig Milan
Craig Milan spent his career in the travel industry in
leadership roles with big brands including Royal Caribbean Group, Virgin
Voyages, Continental Airlines, Eastern Airlines and Brightline, where he was
part of the start-up team at the country’s first privately owned railroad.
Milan’s expertise is in revenue management, tour operations and customer
service across the airline, rail and cruise businesses. He began his career as
an intern for Pan American World Airways during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake
Placid, New York.
Howard Sherman
Howard Sherman has held a variety of executive roles within
the cruise industry, most recently as president and CEO of Oceania Cruises. At
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, he was vice president of onboard revenue and
destination services, managing a wide range of departments including air and
sea, casino operations, destination services, commercial development,
government relations, itinerary planning and land-based construction projects.
Sherman also held various leadership roles at Prestige Cruises International
including chief revenue officer and executive vice president of revenue
management.
SOURCE: Huna Totem
Corporation press release.
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