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Starboard taps new CFO and chief commercial officer

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CFO Perla Fernandez and Chief Commercial Officer Mike Hunssinger Turek
Retail giant Starboard Cruise Services appointed Perla Fernandez as chief financial officer and Mike Hunssinger Turek as chief commercial officer.

Fernandez will lead all financial operations and drive profitability while Turek will oversee strategic business expansion and partner portfolio growth. Both join Starboard’s senior leadership team and report directly to President and CEO Lisa Bauer

Fernandez has 20 years' experience at Starboard

Over the course of 20 years, Fernandez progressed through various finance and accounting roles within Starboard, presiding over general accounting, financial and capital planning, budget management, data analytics, corporate reporting, cruise line contractual negotiations, financial models and agreements. She also led retail teams as a general manager. Before Starboard Fernandez was a senior auditor at Ernst & Young.

Turek moves up from VP role

Turek joined Starboard in 2019 as VP business performance and analysis. He has focused on expanding the company’s analytical capabilities, developing reporting and on contract negotiations. Before Starboard, Turek held numerous roles at Carnival Cruise Line, including VP Carnival Adventures where he oversaw the harmonization of tour programs across the Caribbean and increased net revenue through the introduction of bundles and seasonal pricing. Earlier in his career, he held multiple roles in revenue management at Royal Caribbean Group.

'Homegrown talent'

'We are elated to recognize and promote our "homegrown talent,"' Bauer said. 'Perla’s vast financial and operations acumen, coupled with her longstanding experience and understanding of our business, makes her the ideal chief financial officer ...

'Mike’s leading-edge analytical capabilities and flair for contract negotiations have been a dynamic force with our restart,' Bauer continued. 'I am confident that both will do a tremendous job driving profitable growth and developing our winning cruise line partner portfolio, which in turn reenforces Starboard’s industry-leading position in cruise line retail.'