With nearly 40 years experience within the travel industry, Dick has a record of accomplishment both as an entrepreneur and senior management executive. Founding Carefree Travel in 1971, he witnessed and nurtured its growth to become one of Southern California’s leading retail travel organizations.Dedicated to travel agent education, he designed and developed an associate degree program at Southwestern Jr. College and later founded the California Travel Academy, acquired by Carlson Travel Network.
Dick became active within ASTA and was elected San Diego Chapter President and to the National Board of Directors. This experience and growing understanding of ASTA’s importance in government and consumer affairs led to his selection as Executive Vice President and COO of ASTA from 1982 to 1984 and again from 1992 to 1998.
In 1998 he was approached by Tony McKinnon with the idea of forming the largest travel agency marketing organization, Vacation.com. After being acquired by Amadeus he took on the additional responsibilities of CEO.
