Marc Kazlauskas took the helm at Avoya Travel (No. 37 on Travel Weekly’s Power List) as CEO this month after the Anderson family sold its stake in the agency in June, leaving private equity firm Certares as sole owner. He joins Avoya from JPMorgan Chase, where he was a managing director and president of U.S. brand operations and the leisure division of Frosch. Senior editor Jamie Biesiada talked with Kazlauskas about his first impressions of Avoya, his plans and the legacy he hopes to leave at the company, which was founded more than 60 years ago.
Marc Kazlauskas
Q: You’re the first non-Anderson to head Avoya. How does that feel?
A: This family has grown an incredible brand. It’s an incredible industry leader in really bringing two things: They do an incredible job of educating people to come into the industry in either their first, second or third career and also [help] independent advisors grow their business. It’s exciting, because I get to take a really exceptional business and take it to the next level.
Q: You’ve got a couple of days under your belt in your new role. What are your thoughts so far?
A: We’re going to focus on culture, which is really making this an incredible place not just for our employees, an incredible place for independent advisors and also making sure that we are the best partners to our supplier partners. Then, technology: How do we take world-class technology and continue to improve upon it? And third is growth. How do we take an exceptionally good business that’s grown and continue to get that exponential growth?
Q: What are your immediate plans?
A: It’s about how we step up on bringing in the most qualified leads for our independent advisors. How do we amp that up even more? On the tech side, how do we bring AI and machine learning into our technology? And on the culture side, it’s just showing that we still remain a family business even though the family is not involved anymore.
Q: Do you have any longer-term ideas?
A: Looking at how we bring in more segments of the industry. We are an exceptionally good cruise seller. But how do we also bring in other components that are as important? So we don’t take our eye off the ball with cruising, but how do we add to it? How do we complement it with hotels? How do we complement it with sightseeing? How do we complement it with air? Things that bring value not only to the clients but also, obviously, to the independent advisors.
Q: You just attended Avoya’s Million Dollar Showcase with advisors who sell $1 million-plus annually. What were your takeaways?
A: I was so proud to be there because not only did they embrace me, but they told me A, that I made the right choice and B, how great the organization is and how much they love it.
Q: What’s your advice for advisors who want to join that million-dollar sellers’ club?
A: Know your clients, ask for the business, communicate, don’t be a stranger and have fun — this is a great business.
Q: What is the legacy you hope you leave with Avoya?
A: My first reaction is, that I left the place a lot better than when I took over. And that I continue to make the independent agencies feel that we’re in business together. The legacy is that we help them not only get into the industry, but we help them grow their business and be as large as they want to be. I want to be the best home for independent advisors.