Amtrak is pleased to announce that Leslie Trott has joined the railroad as Director, National Accounts. Most recently Ms. Trott served as Regional Manager, Business Development for travel industry leader, Carlson Wagonlit.

As Amtrak's Director, National Accounts, Ms. Trott is responsible for a team of managers who work closely with national travel agencies to develop mutually-beneficial partnerships to generate sales and revenues. These partnerships focus on marketing initiatives that promote the growth of Amtrak business while driving new customers to the agencies. Her team is dedicated to increasing ridership on board Amtrak's long distance trains, most of which operate primarily outside the Northeast Corridor.

"Because we recognize the important role travel agents play as full-service providers, Leslie's experience will be key to further developing our partnerships with agents," said Barbara Richardson, Amtrak's executive vice president. "With the success of our recent promotion, developed and implemented with the assistance of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), we are looking for new and innovative ways to work with travel agents to increase business for both agents and Amtrak."

During her five years at Carlson Wagonlit, Ms. Trott managed a network of 79 travel agencies throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Through such initiatives as regional marketing programs, network meetings and training, and developing preferred supplier relationships, Ms. Trott grew the agencies in her region 14 percent annually.

Ms. Trott's experience also includes serving as Training and Development Consultant for Uniglobe, as well as nine years at ASTA. While at ASTA, she served as Manager, Legal and Industry Affairs, and as Director of ASTA Marketing Services, Inc. (AMSI), ASTA's Scholarship Foundation and Tour Protection Trust. As director, she increased AMSI's bottom line by 40 percent through vendor negotiations, the implementation of strategic marketing plans, and the introduction of diversified products. She administered a $5,000,000 trust fund for tour operators and launched ASTA's Scholarship Foundation with assets that reached $1.1 million.

Ms. Trott received her bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Maryland. She is a member of the Travel and Tourism Research Association, Prost – Executive Women in Travel, and ASTA.

Publication date: 2000-04-26