WestJet's agency sales team welcomes five new members

WestJet has expanded its agency sales team, with four Business Development Managers and one Commercial Account Manager joining the company as of Dec. 9.

“As WestJet grows globally and transforms into a network airline, we remain committed to supporting and building relationships with our valued travel trade partners,” said Chuck Crowder, WestJet vice-president, Sales and Distribution. “Our partners will benefit from the breadth of airline and travel industry experience our new team members bring, and we know that our trusted Agency Sales team is now even stronger.”

Annique Slowey, Commercial Account Manager, will report to Jane Clementino, director of agency sales, while BDMs Cesar Alvarenga, David Paton, Grant Lawlor and Carlos Peralta, will report to Shannon Cunningham, manager of agency sales.

Meet the new team members

Annique Slowey, Commercial Account Manager

Based in Toronto, Slowey brings to WestJet a combined 18 years’ experience in the travel and airline industries, most recently from Hertz Canada. Slowey was the Country Lead at United Airlines for more than eight years and has held several positions in Sales including Account Manager and Regional Sales Manager, working closely with key Travel Management Companies and Corporations.

Cesar Alvarenga, Business Development Manager (Toronto)

Alvarenga joins the WestJet team from his most recent role as BDM, Strategic Accounts for Aeromexico. He has also held key positions with Avianca Airlines as Duty Manager for Toronto, Montreal and JFK, and Station Manager in Orlando and Boston.

David Paton, Business Development Manager (Toronto)

Most recently of AmexGBT, Patton spent 13 years with Flight Centre Canada as Travel and Store Manager. Patton has a successful corporate agency background including International Consulting, and has experience working with both leisure and corporate/small and medium-sized enterprise accounts.

Grant Lawlor, Business Development Manager (Halifax) 

Lawlor has 26 years of airline and tourism industry experience. His most recent role was National Groups Manager, and formerly Business Development Manager, Atlantic Canada with Unique Vacations (Sandals and Beaches brands) for the past 13 years. Prior to that, his career was with Harmony Airways & Harmony Vacations, Call Centre & Group Sales, and Signature Vacations Vancouver as Supervisor Group Sales & Airport Passenger Services.

Carlos Peralta, Business Development Manager, WestJet Vacations (Vancouver)

Peralta comes to WestJet from Meliá Hotels International, where he held the position of Associate Director of Travel Industry Sales & Partnership for 16 years. Prior to that, Peralta held several roles in Honduras including Business Unit Leader at Amadeus IT Group, Sales Rep for Continental Airlines and KLM, and Reservations Sales Agent for TACA.

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