Vacation portal VAX VacationAccess named GDS veteran Kathy Patrick president on Thursday.

Fitzpatrick replaces Bob LaCroix, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to the company. LaCroix was president and CEO, but VAX won't be filling the CEO position.

Fitzpatrick has been in the GDS industry for more than 20 years, most recently serving as senior vice president and managing director of Americas at Travelport, owner of the Worldspan and Galileo res sysytems.

Fitzpatrick has been charged with bringing more suppliers to the VAX VacationAccess platform and delivering new products and tools to help travel agents effectively sell leisure travel.