CLIA Addresses D’Aoust Appointment
by Daniel McCarthy /Global CLIA chairman Adam Goldstein and new president and CEO Cindy D’Aoust were on hand to address D’Aoust’s appointment during the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday.
D’Aoust said the past seven months as CLIA’s interim president gave her the time to “explore what the role was” and whether or not she wanted the job. “I learned that not only did I want it, I felt that I could do a very good job,” she said. “I think it was a wonderful process, but I am happy it is at its end.”
Goldstein said that since the retirement of former Coast Guard admiral Thomas Ostebo in August 2015, there has been an open competition for the role of president and CEO. “The board of directors is very pleased that Cindy has been able to win that position,” he said. “I am really happy for the organization, for her team, and for her.”
With the industry in a constant state of change and growth, D’Aoust will be challenged to unite leaders from all corners of cruising under one CLIA voice. She pointed to her experience as senior vice president at Maxvantage—a company that combined American Express and Maritz Travel under one partnership—as evidence she can make it work.
“It is the skill set that you develop in learning how to work with people around the world…to understand you have a common goal and priority and how you work towards that,” she said.
Though she may not have maritime experience, D’Aoust said her support staff gives her confidence in taking on the position.