Longtime Travel Industry Leader Patrick Fragale Named Valerie Wilson Travel SVP

Longtime travel industry executive Patrick Fragale has been named the new senior vice president at Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT).

Fragale’s appointment comes as VWT kicked off its 2020 strategic plan, focusing on growth and profitability. The agency recently opened a new office in Manhattan, restructured its management team, and expanded its team.

Co-President and Co-Owner Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg will work closely with Fragale on the company’s business development. Fragale will also serve as a member of VWT’s Executive Committee.

“Fragale brings his specialization in high-touch services combined with state-of-the-art technology for all business units including Business, Leisure, MICE, and Fulfillment Services, and VWT is energized for this new chapter to begin,” the company said in a statement.

With over 30 years in both travel management and the hospitality industry, Fragale most recently served as president of Protravel International. Prior to Protravel, he was president/COO at Direct Travel, Inc., for over a decade. Fragale held various positions in the hospitality industry from general manager to vice president of operations for a collection of premium hotels and specialty restaurants including the Marriott, Renaissance and Sheraton brands.

“Having competed against VWT for years, it is inspiring to be on this side of the fence,” Fragale said in a statement. “Besides being drawn to their 37-year history and success as a full-service travel management powerhouse, it was the fact that the company truly has a heart and soul that closed the deal for me. In today’s age of impersonal service and overreliance on technology, it is refreshing that VWT has been able to find a balance between technological efficiency and personal connection.”