KHM Travel Group Names New President, Promotes Additional Leadership Team Members
by Dori Saltzman
Rick Zimmerman, Geoff Cox, Karen Siburt, and Bill Coyle. Photos: KHM Travel
KHM Travel Group’s vice president of sales and marketing, Geoff Cox, will assume the title of president at the end of this year. Rick Zimmerman, the current CEO and president will remain CEO and take on the role of Chairman of the Board. In the short term, he will focus on appointing the board members to ensure continued strategic direction for KHM Travel Group.
In addition, based on their leadership achievements and tenure, Karen Siburt will be promoted to senior vice president of business operations & culture and Bill Coyle will be promoted to senior vice president of agent success & strategy.
Their leadership will be supported by vice president of agent engagement & partnerships Lori Speers, who will oversee agent support, education, engagement, and supplier relations; vice president of industry relations Anita Pagliasso, who will lead industry involvement and change; and CFO David Gouttiere, who will continue guiding the company’s financial strategy and long-term outlook.
“At the heart of our company’s success over the last 21 years is our commitment to people,” said Zimmerman. “Through intentional leadership development and a deep commitment to helping others grow, we’ve built a strong community where travel agents and supplier partners can thrive. This new structure ensures we will continue to carry our People First mission forward through Geoff’s leadership.”
Although Cox joined the KHM Travel Group team in 2011, he played a significant role in the earliest growth of the Host agency, dating back to his time working as one of the Host agency’s first supplier business development managers in 2005. From 1993 to 2002, he served as business development manager and key account manager at Royal Caribbean International. After his time with Royal Caribbean International, Cox spent eight years as a business development manager with Carnival Cruise Line before joining the KHM Travel Group team.
In addition to increasing the Host agency’s sales production, Cox’s accomplishments at KHM Travel Group also have had a meaningful impact on the advisor experience. He led the creation of the Pinnacle Agent Program, which now includes 1,200 of KHM Travel Group’s top-producing agents. He also developed the framework of the Regional Program, increasing local agent engagement and collaboration.
In his role as CEO, Zimmerman will establish a KHM Travel Group Board of Directors positioned around the Host agency’s mission and long-term vision. He will also devote more time to The Zimmerman Foundation – a new initiative centered on providing greater access to affordable housing and education.
