Doug Knight
Managing Partner
An industry veteran, Doug is one of the most multi-faceted agency insiders in today’s travel management marketplace. Doug brings to Worldtek a distinctive perspective derived from his tenure at American Airlines, Sabre/ADS, Associated/Cardillo Travel in Los Angeles, McGregor Travel and Navigant International. Through the years, he has acquired vast experience and produced results in the areas of automation, MIS, finance and strategic vendor negotiations.
Doug began his career at Cardillo / Associated Travel in Los Angeles in 1981, he later moved to American Airlines where he was one of the leading installation specialists for the SABRE/ADS accounting systems. Doug later joined McGregor Travel in 1987 as General Manager and Controller, purchasing the assets of the company in 1993.
As one of the principals of McGregor Travel, Doug’s leadership led to major agency growth with resulted in McGregor Travel being recognized as a Top Ten corporate travel management company with over 400 million in annual sales. Doug took the company public, and along with ten other regional agencies, formed Navigant International, where he served as Navigant’s founding Chief Operating Officer. Navigant provided the industry with a “non-mega” alternative where clients received personalized attention and customized programs. In 2006 the company was purchased by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
As a Managing Partner of Worldtek, Doug harnesses his diverse experience in local, regional and mega agency operations with a focus on the financial aspects of the company. His extensive experience with airlines has given him in-depth knowledge on what programs can honestly work successfully for the individual client and the agency provider as a whole. Focused on the financial health of the company, Doug spearheads all vendor negotiations at Worldtek. With his extensive industry experience, Doug is an invaluable resource for WorldTEK customers.
A native of Oregon, Doug is a graduate of the University of Oregon. Doug is an avid skier and golfer and has traveled extensively both domestically and abroad. He resides in New Canaan, CT with his wife Shawnee and sons Andrew and Matthew.
Dave Smith
Vice President of Sales and Account Management
Starting at WorldTek in 1982, Dave Smith has held a variety of positions throughout almost every department in the agency, continually being promoted in managerial positions. Dave has tremendous insight into front-line servicing, mid-office products, client reporting, conflict resolution and customer satisfaction processes.
As Vice President of Sales and Account Management, Dave is responsible for responding to the customer’s day-to-day needs. As one of the agency’s leading vendor ambassadors, Dave plays an integral role in vendor negotiations with air, hotel, ground transportation and technology partners. To accomplish this successfully, he pays close attention to the individual needs of each client, while keeping abreast of the emerging offerings of all vendors.
Dave also spearheads the collegiate event process adding his 25 years of experience in athletic packaging. Designing alumni and university travel packages is second nature Dave and he has proven his value to clients during Final Four and tournament packages throughout the country.
Dave is a graduate of The Worldtek Travel School and the Computer Processing Institute. An avid sports fan, Dave resides in Connecticut with his wife and two children.
Amy Brownstein
Director of Operations
Having been at Worldtek for over 30 years, Amy is responsible for both our Corporate and Collegiate divisions. As Director, Operations, Amy is responsible for the coordination of all corporate travel accounts as well as groups for colleges, universities and foundations. Realizing that no two organizations are identical, Amy is skilled at bringing “best practices” to each individual client or group, and tailoring a solution to align the travel decisions of each client with their specific goals and objectives.
Amy is the key liaison between each client supervisor and Worldtek. She analyzes the various components of each client, taking into consideration all variables including size, applicable vendors, negotiated agreements, preferred destinations, budget, and reporting and booking mechanisms. From this, Amy creates the ideal business plan for each client and trains her staff on implementation and execution. The result is the most cost–efficient, service oriented team. Amy’s problem solving, analytical and communication skills are the backbone of her success.
A true veteran in the industry, Amy managed the Airline Department at Lindblad Travel Inc., before joining Worldtek. Amy is proficient in both Sabre and Worldspan. She lives in Connecticut and is a graduate of Southern Connecticut University.
Robert Luciani
Director of Technology Services
A veteran of WorldTek since 1988, Robert offers a broad range of operational and technical expertise. Robert’s Worldtek career began with the day-to-day travel operations of Textron, a multi-million dollar US defense contractor with high international travel requirements. He was then promoted to run the operations of Worldtek’s Sports Travel Division which included the NCAA travel account. Robert developed significant experience with client relations visiting with athletic directors at colleges throughout the country. During this time Robert was responsible for overseeing several on-campus university travel offices where he trained and supervised all staff, negotiated airline contracts including team charters. Working closely with Worldtek’s Meeting and Planning Department for Final Four and Bowl trips, Robert gained first-hand knowledge of how automation can enhance group movements.
Robert was integral in the initial creation of ResRunner, our online event management system. Working in tandem with external programmers from abroad translated into tremendous benefits for our end-users. Robert is fully knowledgeable of the intricacies of the product and he continues to be involved in the ongoing evolution of this tool. Now as Director of Technology Services, Robert oversees all aspects of ResRunner including the initial demonstration of the product, overseeing client communications, training and technical support.
Robert attended Southern Connecticut State University and Worldtek Travel School. He has since completed numerous technical training courses in relation to his field. Robert enjoys traveling throughout the world for business and pleasure. He resides on the Connecticut Shoreline with his wife Jennifer and their two children.
Danielle Harnois
Director of Finance
Bio coming soon.