Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Nick Vournakis senior vice president and general manager, CWT Canada, effective January 1, 2008. He formerly served as the vice president of the CWT Solutions Group in the Americas, since September 2005. Vournakis replaces Bill McLean, who has chosen to pursue other opportunities outside the travel industry but remains available as a consultant to Vournakis during the coming months.

Vournakis begins his new role with a 90-day road show to personally meet with employees, clients and associates across Canada to build relationships and better understand the needs of each constituency, to communicate high-level ’08 goals and objectives and to become more familiar with the Canadian marketplace. Vournakis plans to build upon the positive growth CWT Canada achieved this past year across its three areas of expertise: Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel and Meetings & Events, while continuing to deliver quality products and services within each.

Under Vournakis’ leadership, the CWT Solutions Group, which offers travel program consulting as part of the CWT Program Optimization service offering, grew its client base by 70 percent, and increased its North American consulting staff from 19 in 2005 to 44 at the end of 2007. During his tenure Vournakis also established a ground transportation practice as an addition to the group’s air and hotel optimization services.

“Nick has proven to be a talented, respected leader with a strong client focus that will greatly benefit CWT Canada employees and customers alike,” said Jack O’Neill, president, CWT North America. “I am confident he will continue the excellent work Bill McLean has undertaken in this important market. On behalf of CWT North America, I would also like to wish Bill all the best in his new endeavors.”

A search for the new leader of the CWT Solutions Group’s Americas practice is currently underway.