Ponant's Sam Chamberlain fills out his Americas teamPonant's Sam Chamberlain fills out his Americas team
Sam Chamberlain, who became CEO for Ponant in the Americas in April, filled out his team with strategic hires and internal promotions that 'unlock the talents of the organization.'
July 23, 2024

CFO Alexandre Molcard was promoted to chief operating officer, Americas, leading the customer care team. John Ferro, director of revenue management at Paul Gauguin, now adds responsibility for Ponant as well. And Hector Rivera moved up to manage the direct to consumer sales team for both brands.
New hires are Sandy Doss, who joined as director of affinity sales, Faith Earley as chief of staff and José Roncero as director of business development, Latin America.
Alexandre Molcard
Molcard, who's served as CFO for the Americas for nearly three years, will now in his expanded COO role oversee HR, finance, IT and the newly combined Ponant and Paul Gauguin reservations team, renamed the customer care team.
Combining the teams gives more coverage and better operating hours, Chamberlain said, adding that the benefits of sharing destination and product expertise become apparent as Ponant will deploy a ship, Le Jacques-Cartier, in French Polynesia in 2026, alongside Paul Gauguin.
The customer care team is fully remote, located across Florida, the greater Seattle area and New York.
Sandy Doss
Doss, a seasoned affinity group travel expert formerly with Mayflower Cruises & Tours, Holbrook Travel and G Adventures, and who founded and led The Eco-Infinity Group, will oversee affinity sales. Chamberlain called her a 'plug and play' executive who brings creativity and expertise in matching groups with the right expedition leaders and naturalists to suit their interests.
Doss has just returned from a Greenland expedition that's part of Ponant's collaboration with The Explorers Club.
Hector Rivera
Rivera, who'll manage the direct to consumer team — which now also combines the Ponant-Paul Gauguin members — is a 'rising star with energy and passion,' Chamberlain said. Rivera, whose background includes reservations at Crystal Cruises, was previously reservation support supervisor for Paul Gauguin and 'a great supporter of his team,' Chamberlain said.
John Ferro
Ferro, who worked in revenue management at Paul Gauguin the past eight years, ultimately as director, now oversees that area for Ponant in the Americas as well. Chamberlain called him a 'gifted' revenue management expert.
José Roncero
One of Chamberlain's strategic new hires, Roncero will oversee Latin America sales for Ponant and Paul Gauguin, based in Mexico City. Previously with Azamara, Roncero also has experience as regional director - Latin America & Caribbean for Virtuoso Travel and sales executive, Royal Caribbean International.
Chamberlain said Roncero, who brings energry and vigor and is adept at managing agency relationships, is expected to make an immediate impact since Ponant didn't previously focus on the LatAm region, one which he believes holds great promise for the company.
Faith Earley
Earley joins in the newly created chief of staff role and will help Chamberlain drive processes and implement new projects. Earley comes from executive search firm Spencer Stuart where she was involved in CEO search and succession projects. A Cornell University graduate in hospitality administration/management, she's 'passionate about hospitality and product design,' Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain is currently hosting a two-day meeting of his Americas team in Washington, DC.
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