Ensemble Takes Next Step in Strategic Growth Plan With New Executive Appointments

Leading travel advisor consortium Ensemble has just announced several new executive appointments and organizational changes. The company is ready to advance to the next phase of its strategic growth plan, now that over a year has passed since its acquisition by privately held investment firm Navigatr Group in June 2022.

“We have been laser focused on building the new Ensemble over the past year with a priority on acquiring and developing some of the industry’s top talent,” said Michael Johnson, President of Ensemble. “This deliberate approach and strategy have already enabled us to deliver an improved and consistent experience to our members and partners alike and with these new team members we are primed to advance Ensemble's growth and realize our vision of shaping the consortium of the future.” 

Bringing with her extensive experience and valuable existing relationships with key supplier partners, Beth Butzlaffhas just joined Ensemble as Senior Vice President Global Partner Relations. In her most recent role, she served as as Vice President of Global Partnership Engagement at Global Travel Collection, a division of Internova Travel Group that caters to a worldwide collection of luxury travel agencies. Prior to that, she had served for 14 years as Vice President of Global Partner Relations at Virtuoso, where she created several new partner programs.

Beth Butzlaff, Ensemble's new Senior Vice President Global Partner Relations. (Photo Credit: Ensemble Travel Group)

Assuming a newly created position, Shelly Ransom isjoining Ensemble as Vice President of New Agency Business Development. In her position that immediately preceded this one, Ransom led Hyatt’s distribution team, managing partnership negotiations and syncing strategies with agencies, OTA's and Tour Operators. With nearly 30 years in the travel industry, she has also held positions leading Consortia and Agency Partnerships for Starwood, Wyndham and Marriott. She also spent over a decade working on the agency side, most notably leading AAA’s their lodging and airline partnership program. 

Assisting Ransom in establishing her new department will be Ron Bentley, who will focus on agency acquisition in his new role. He most recently served as Ensemble’s Vice President of Member Relations. And, assuming the role of Vice President of Member Relations will be Mark Stubbert, whose previously held positions at Travel Edge Network and Carlson Wagonlit focused on advisor services. 

Shelly Ransom, Ensemble's new Vice President of New Agency Business Development. (Photo Credit: Ensemble Travel Group)

Jennifer Dzialo, who previously occupied the role ofEnsemble’s Senior Vice President of Partner Relations, has transferred over to its parent company Navigatr Group to support growth across its various brands. Her work there will focus on cultivating strategic partner relationships to drive multiple distribution models and improve outcomes across all travel verticals. 

Finally, with the making of these new appointments and progress of Ensemble’s post-acquisition strategy, former CEO David Harris, who saw the company through the pandemic and its recent acquisition process and most recently served as Executive Chairman, will transition out of his role.  

Over the past year, Ensemble has doubled the size of its team, while also introducing numerous new programs across all disciplines, including operations, marketing, training and development; and all verticals, including hotel, cruise, air and DMC. 

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