On June 18, Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. (VWT) added Patrick Fragale as senior vice president. Fragale brings his specialization in high-touch services and state-of-the-art technology for all business units including business, leisure, MICE and fulfillment services.
Fragale’s arrival comes at the culmination of events at VWT's new flagship office in New York (such as its ribbon-cutting ceremony), as well as numerous organizational changes, such as a re-structure of the management team, the hiring of new managerial talent, and a shift in leadership style to improve communication, transparency and efficiency.
Working closely with co-president and co-owner Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg, Fragale will be focusing on business development and will be a member of VWT’s Executive Committee, providing a voice for VWT as the company continues to build towards the future. “Pat is the right person, at the right time, for VWT," Wilson-Buttigieg said in a written release. "I could not be more excited to make great things happen together and advance the VWT brand.”
A seasoned travel executive with over 30 years in both travel management and the hospitality industry, Fragale’s strengths include fostering teamwork, developing companies through organic growth and the recruitment of new business opportunities.
Fragale said to members of the VWT management team, “Having competed against VWT for years, it is inspiring to be on this side of the fence. Besides being drawn to your 37-year history and success as a full-service travel management powerhouse, it was the fact that the company truly has a heart and soul that closed the deal for me.”
Formerly president of New York-based Protravel International, Fragale oversaw 900-plus employees and contractors at 18 branches in the U.S. and U.K. with annual sales exceeding $900 million. We profiled Fragale during his time a Protravel, noting his 'passion for people.' Prior to Protravel, he was president/COO at Direct Travel, Inc., from 1993 to 2013. During his time with Direct Travel, Fragale successfully negotiated the acquisition of several agencies, as well as the buy-out and stock transfer of the company to a private equity firm in 2011.
Fragale has served on numerous advisory boards and panels within and outside the travel industry, including Continental Airlines (now United Airlines), Delta Air Lines, Travelport, the Maryland Hotel/Motel Association, Morgan State University Hospitality Program, Southwest Academy of Tour Travel and Hospitality and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
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