SEATTLE, April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ambassadors
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMIE), the parent company of Windstar
Cruises, has appointed Hans Birkholz
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ambassadors
International Inc., and Chief Executive Officer of Windstar
Cruises. Birkholz will start with the Company on May 10, 2010.
"I am delighted to welcome Hans
Birkholz to Ambassadors and look forward to his contribution
to the Company," said Art Rodney,
Ambassadors Interim Chief Executive Officer and Board Member.
Birkholz reports to Ambassadors' Board of Directors who selected
him for the position due to his financial acumen, marketing
expertise, entrepreneurial style as well as his proven ability to
drive profitable growth for companies.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to work
with Hans Birkholz as we continue to
grow the Company," said Eugene
Davis, Chairman of the Board of Directors for
Ambassadors.
Mark Detillion, Chief Financial
Officer of Ambassadors, and Diane
Moore, President of Windstar Cruises, will report to
Birkholz.
Birkholz most recently served as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Grand Expeditions, Inc., a collection of travel
companies specializing in unique luxury travel experiences. Under
his leadership, the company emerged from an unstable travel market
following 9/11 to become a profitable growth company. Prior to
Grand Expeditions, Birkholz was part of the executive management
team of The Moorings, the world's largest sailing vacation company.
As Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing and later
Co-President, he led all sales, marketing and fleet planning for
the company's charter and yacht sales business lines. Birkholz is
credited with strengthening the company as a global leader in
bareboat charters and expanding the products and destinations
offered by The Moorings.
Before launching his travel industry career, Birkholz's broad
business background included restaurants, consumer packaged goods,
and financial services. Prior to joining The Moorings and Grand
Expeditions, Birkholz was Director of Brand Marketing for the Olive
Garden, Darden Restaurants, Inc., the world's largest casual dining
chain, where he held responsibilities for brand development,
advertising, promotion and menu development. He also held senior
level positions with Nabisco, Inc., now a unit of Kraft Foods,
working on established brands and new business initiatives.
Birkholz also spent four years at General Mills, working as a
marketing manager on some of the company's most iconic brands.
Prior to his time in the consumer products industry, Birkholz was a
commercial banker with First Bank System in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Birkholz holds a master's degree in business administration from
The Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania and a bachelor's degree in business
administration from the University of
Minnesota.
About Ambassadors International, Inc.
Ambassadors International, Inc. is primarily a cruise company
with headquarters in Seattle,
Washington. The Company operates Windstar Cruises, a
three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore the hidden harbors
and secluded coves of the world's most sought-after destinations.
Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar
cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout
Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. In this
press release, any reference to "Company," "Ambassadors,"
"management," "we," "us" and "our" refers to Ambassadors
International, Inc. and its management team.
Additional Information
For further information, please contact Vanessa Bloy of Ambassadors International, Inc.
at (206) 733-2970.
SOURCE Ambassadors International, Inc.