New Executive Leadership Appointments Support Growth at Azamara®
The independent cruise company continues to grow as it prepares to return to sail August 2021
MIAMI, June 23, 2021 – Azamara – the boutique cruise line dedicated to Destination Immersion®
experiences – today announced a series of new leadership hires across multiple departments, furthering the brand’s mission to grow. As the cruise industry prepares to bounce back, Azamara is building out key sectors of its internal team as it continues to stand up the brand as an independent organization and plans for future expansion with its addition of Azamara Onward in 2022.
The new appointments will support vital functions of the company, some of which are new to the brand since Q1 of 2021, when the brand became an independent cruise line. Key hires joining the Azamara team include Doug Parks as Chief Administrative Officer, Captain Nico Corbijn as Head of Marine Operations, Laura Krejci as Chief Information Officer, and Rafael Pagliuso as General Counsel. Azamara will also continue to support its sales team, another important aspect of the brand’s growth, as the demand for cruising increases from the travel community.
“We are excited to welcome Doug, Nico, Laura and Rafael to the Azamara family,” says Azamara President, Carol Cabezas. “Following a tough year for the cruise industry, we are eager and determined to get back out on the water. These new additions will help lead the company to success by building out and operating key areas of the business, and ensuring our returning guests enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience with Azamara.”
New Leadership Team members include:
• Doug Parks will bring invaluable business transformation experience as he joins Azamara to lead the development and growth of the brand’s shared service teams. Previously, he was the SVP, Chief Resources Officer at HealthNow New York Inc, and will bring multiple years of strategy and organization development, Human Resources, culture, talent acquisition and management experience to Azamara.
• Laura Krejci will lead the buildout of the technology ecosystem to enhance the brand’s operations and digital selling tools as Chief Information Officer at Azamara. Previously, she was SVP Technology at Chico’s FAS where she was leading the development and execution of technology, digital & analytics services to promote business growth through continuous improvement, innovation, and talent excellence.
• Captain Nico Corbijn joins as the first Head of Marine Operations and will work closely with both the marine and technical teams to assist in day-to-day operation support and to ensure the fleet is maintained at the highest standard. Prior to joining Azamara, the veteran maritime industry executive worked for numerous large cruise lines. Additionally, Corbjin founded maritime management consulting company, Reveles Solutions, in 2016.
• Rafael Pagliuso will join as the brand’s first dedicated General Counsel to represent and lead Azamara’s legal matters and initiatives. Previously, he was Corporate Counsel at Votorantim Group and VP & General Counsel - Latin America at Emerson Electric. Pagliuso holds a Law degree from Unicenp in Brazil and a Masters in US Law from Washington University.
Rounding out the latest developments at Azamara is the growth of its US and global sales team, an integral sector of the company as the line prepares for its upcoming return to sail. Leading the charge for the sales department are a series of cruise industry experts, including Nils Lindstad as VP of Sales and Trade Support; Katie Gerhard, as AVP of Sales, East; Lori Goldspiel, as AVP of Sales West and National Accounts; Kevin Regan, AVP of Global Charters and Incentives; and Patrice Willoughby as VP of International Business Development.