NEW YORK — Travel Leaders Group has shaken up its leadership executive team with a newly appointed Chief Executive Officer.

J.D. O’Hara, who has served as President for the past year, has been appointed CEO, effective immediately. Ninan Chacko has resigned as CEO of Travel Leaders Group to pursue other opportunities.

O’Hara, who has worked closely with Chacko for the past year, anticipates a seamless transition.

“Our focus will be on continuing to excel at what has made Travel Leaders Group great, providing impeccable service to our travellers, the highest quality support and tools to our travel advisors and unsurpassed value to our preferred supplier partners,” he said.

O’Hara has had a long association with Travel Leaders Group, having been part of the original management buyout of Carlson Leisure Group from Carlson Companies in January 2008 that eventually led to the formation of Travel Leaders Group.

Since rejoining the company one year ago as President, O’Hara has been responsible for managing the company’s operating divisions, as well as mergers and acquisition activities and strategic planning. His new role will include overseeing finance, information technology, supplier relations, human resources, marketing and legal departments as well as the executive leadership team. He will also continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

“I am extremely grateful and excited about the tremendous opportunity to lead such a talented team of professionals and world-class travel advisors,” he added. “This company has grown to become an industry powerhouse over the last decade and I look forward to our continued evolution as an industry leader.”