Viking appoints North American sales lead, sr. dir. of national accounts

Changes have been made to Viking’s trade sales organization.

As per a release Friday (March 145), Michele Saegesser, who announced her retirement last year, has passed her responsibilities to a new team and is now embarking on an new journey.

“From all of us at Viking, we thank Michele for her countless contributions to Viking’s international sales growth and the endearing legacy she has left on the industry over the past 45 years,” the cruise line said in a release, calling it a “new direction.”

Erik De La Cruz will now manage Viking’s North American field sales team (U.S. and Canada), inside sales team and the groups department.

De La Cruz has played a pivotal role in Viking’s strategic partnership growth while providing award-winning sales support to the advisor community.

He brings more than two decades of experience in the travel industry, with 15 of those years dedicated to Viking in various roles including senior director, sales support and senior director, sales and national accounts.

Sandra Marshall, senior director, field sales, will now report to De La Cruz.

Mike Eng will now lead Viking’s national account partnerships, trade marketing, technology and reporting.

Eng has been with Viking for 14 years and his diverse leadership experience in national accounts partnerships, trade marketing and sales strategy have been an instrumental part of Viking’s sustained trade channel growth and omnipresence within the industry. I

In his new role, Eng will be committed to national account partnerships, ensuring Viking remains top of mind with trade partners.

Most recently, he led the trade marketing team as senior director, trade strategy and digital, and has also previously worked in national accounts, trade communications and management consulting roles.

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