AQSC, Victory add marketing/sales cruise veterans

Their additions come as the companies prepare to resume cruising and introduce new ships, the paddlewheeler American Countess and the expedition vessel Ocean Victory.

'This group of seasoned sales and marketing executives bring a proven track record to our team as we invite guests to "Come Home to America" and prepare to relaunch on the mighty Mississippi River and beyond,' said Kari Tarnowski, SVP marketing for AQSC/Victory. 'Each executive adds a distinct portfolio of experience that will collectively propel our success as we move into the 2021 season and look to 2022.'

Colleen Rodriguez

Senior Director of Marketing Rodriguez brings more than 20 years of luxury hospitality experience in brand strategy and content creation. A veteran of Regent Seven Seas Cruises as VP marketing for over 10 years, she also held marketing roles with luxury brands One & Only Resorts and Silversea Cruises. Rodriguez will oversee brand marketing strategies and execution.

Michael Hicks

Director of Marketing Communications Hicks joins after overseeing communications strategies for transportation, consumer, hospitality and destination brands for more than 18 years. Hicks most recently was media relations director for Brightline, the Florida inter-city passenger rail service, and returns to AQSC after leading agency-side media efforts of the 2012 launch. Hicks will oversee communications strategies including marketing, public affairs and social media across both the AQSC and Victory brands. 

Scott Sloan

As business development manager for the Southwest region, Sloan continues a career delivering revenue growth and establishing business to business relationships, having worked with companies including Carnival Cruise Line, Tesla Motors and Ponant. Sloan will support AQSC and Victory development in the Southwest region, including Southern California, Hawaii, Arizona and Nevada, by fostering relationships with new business partners, generating leads and seizing opportunities to grow both brands.