WHY IT RATES: Whitney comes to Authentic Vacations after owning and operating her own travel business for 11 years. Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Managing Editor

Simon Russell, CEO of Authentic Vacations, a member of TPG, welcomes Whitney Ashby Norman to their team. Based in the Scottsdale Headquarters office, Whitney is the new Head of Operations.

“As travel demand grows,” said Russell, “we’re happy to have Whitney on our team. After familiarizing herself with our business, Whitney will focus on supporting our growing team from a Human Resources point of view. She will take on the responsibility of overseeing the reservations function and will assist us in finding the talent we need to keep pace with our growth. We look forward to adding her fresh, experienced industry eyes to our team, so we can create further ways to improve Authentic Vacations as the world of travel evolves.”

Authentic Vacations has been in a particularly unique position for the travel industry. Expanding during the pandemic, their global itineraries are both customized and affordable. Whitney comes to Authentic Vacations after owning and operating her own travel business for 11 years. During that time, gross sales averaged between $3M and $5M. She oversaw all aspects of her business, including customer service, designing destination vacations, budgeting, and employee management.

Before that, she spent six years as Manager of Operations for a large travel business. She is a Texas native, proud graduate of Texas Tech University and Scottsdale local since 2013.

Russell noted: “Our goal at Authentic Vacations is to build upon our successes and further increase brand recognition. We’re excited about the future and know that Whitney is an ideal fit.” Whitney Ashby Norman, a Scottsdale local, is a people person who loves her dogs, traveling, and Pilates. Says Whitney, “I look forward to working with the amazing professionals at Authentic Vacations, getting into the behind-scenes-details, supporting the business’s growth, and finding ever-increasing ways for clients to experience this extraordinary world!”

SOURCE: Authentic Vacations press release.