Travel Planners International, Vacation Planners Add to Leadership Teams

Sister companies Travel Planners International (TPI) and Vacation Planners have made two new hires in key sales and operations roles. 

Calvin Rodriguez is the new vice president of sales engagement at TPI, effective today, and Kara McCarty is the new operations manager of Vacation Planners, a franchise company that just launched in the past year. 

“We are thrilled to add two industry veterans and proven leaders to TPI and Vacation Planners,” said Jenn Lee, president and CMO of both companies. “As the two companies work more closely in tandem, having seasoned professionals in our leadership team will enable us to create greater synergies and better support our advisors and partner companies as well as our customers.”   

Rodriguez previously led a team of business development managers (BDMs) across the Southeast at Carnival Cruise Line, where he worked for 23 years. He was also recognized as TPI’s 2024 BDM of the Year. 

McCarty brings 20 years of experience to the newly established, day-to-day operations role at Vacation Planners, which offers franchising opportunities for travel advisors. She was most recently chief of staff to the CEO at Apprio, Inc.