NEW YORK — Ensemble Travel Group’s board of directors has named David Harris as CEO.

The newly-created position comes on the heels of a record year for Ensemble’s travel advisor member shareholders.

Ensemble’s Co-Presidents Lindsay Pearlman and Libbie Rice will continue in their roles, reporting to Harris.

“Our recent 50 year anniversary and our success in 2018 has given us the opportunity to reflect and to draw upon what we have learned to strategize for 2019 and beyond,” says Terri Jo Lennox, Board Chair – Ensemble Travel Group. “David’s knowledge of the industry, as well as his longstanding relationship with Ensemble and its membership, put him in a great position to lead our executive team and help us bring a broader global vision to the organization.”

Harris served as Chair and Vice Chair of Ensemble’s North American board for four years and was previously on the Canadian advisory board from 2008 to 2013.

He also led and participated as an active Director on several committees of the board including Finance, Australia, Executive, Acquisitions and Compensation & Review. He was first elected to the Canadian Advisory Board for Ensemble in 2008 and was then nominated and elected as a Director to the North American Board for Ensemble in 2013.

Lennox says Harris has a proven record of driving strategic and member-centric initiatives to the next level.

Working in the travel industry for his entire professional career, Harris’s parents opened a travel agency franchise in August 1982 and, when they retired in 1995, David purchased the agency and has steadily grown the business.

He previously served as the President and sole owner of M. Ross Harris Travel Limited, which operates three consumer facing travel brands: Orion Travelinx, Voyageur Travel and Charrisma Travel Group.  He plans to draw upon his experience and successes to provide a unique perspective to the ETG team.

Harris will be based in Toronto, and will travel to New York City offices on a regular basis.

“I am extremely excited to have been asked to take on this role for Ensemble. As a passionate, solution-focused Director for many years, I look forward to working with such a world class team of dedicated employees,” said Harris. “It is our responsibility to bring not only value but efficiencies, excitement and clarity to travel sales in this complex industry.

“We feel the opportunities are almost immeasurable, and I look forward to collaborating and ensuring this is accomplished in alignment with our strategic objectives.”