Leadership
CIBT and subsidiaries TLCS and VisaCentral has a highly trained and motivated leadership team with deep knowledge of the industry, extensive experience, and unique skills.
UK Leadership Team
Seran Bentley-Thoburn – Managing Director – UK
Seran Bentley-Thoburn is the Managing Director of CIBT UK and is responsible for all aspects of CIBT's business in the United Kingdom. He has extensive experience in in the areas of business and market development, strategic program implementation, profitability growth, corporate culture enrichment, and customer service. Seran joined CIBT in 1997 as an employee of TLCS Global Visa Service and played a critical role in developing the company's service delivery process. Prior to joining TLCS Global Visa Service, Seran worked at Carlson Wagonlit Travel. He is based out of the CIBT London office.
Shawn Hefner - Director of Business Development
Shawn is the Director of Business Development for CIBT UK. He is responsible for developing business relations with potential customers in the UK and CIBT's Switzerland operation. Shawn joined CIBT in December of 1992 as an Operations Manager. He has extensive experience in the areas of sales, customer service, operations, account management, and business development. Shawn holds a degree from American University in Washington, D.C. He is based out of the CIBT London office.
Nadia Teixeira – Operations Director
Nadia is the Operations Director for CIBT UK. Nadia is an experienced professional in the corporate services industry, and with the support of her team is dedicated to upholding CIBT's commitment to exceptional customer experience. Prior to her appointment as Operations Director, Nadia held the position of Special Services Manager with CIBT where she was instrumental in implementing unique visa solutions for the leisure market. Nadia is a graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, BA(Hons) in Business and Tourism Management, where she supplemented her studies with a one year internship at Rail Europe in New York. Nadia was formerly an employee of UBS Investment Bank in 2008, working as a Campus Recruiter for IBD Graduate Recruitment Program.
Orvil Plummer – Finance Director
Orvil joined CIBT in July of 2008 as Finance Director for CIBT UK. He is responsible for the full-scale operation of CIBT UK’s financial division and has played an integral role in developing the financial infrastructure for CIBT UK’s London office. His background includes extensive experience in building and managing effective financial organisations in high-growth companies. Before joining CIBT, Orvil held various senior finance positions with such UK companies as Prevention Technologies Ltd and City Networks Limited. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration. He is based out of the CIBT London office.
Lucy Hill – Director of Account Management
Lucy is the Director of Account Management for CIBT UK. She is responsible for overseeing relationships with more than 400 accounts in the UK. Lucy has played an integral role in the development and implementation of training services for new clients. She works closely with CIBT Account Management teams in the US and Europe when managing multi-country client accounts. Lucy joined CIBT in 2002 as a visa consultant, before moving to a role as a Senior Account Manager. She has since gained experience in the areas of operations, marketing, and sales. Lucy holds a degree in Leisure and Tourism Management from the University of North London. She is based out of CIBT UK’s London office.
Christopher Garland-Smith – Account Manager
Christopher is an Account Manager with CIBT UK’s Sales and Marketing team. He is responsible for managing leisure accounts and overseeing CIBT UK’s Documentation Department. Christopher joined CIBT in 2000 and has gained expertise in all aspects of office operations, transitioning from a visa consultant to a Despatch Manager and eventually running the USA Visa Department. He has extensive experience in the areas of training, recruitment, and project management. Christopher holds a degree in English Literature and Linguistics from Aristotle University in Greece and a Master of Arts in Film Culture & Industry from the University of Westminster. He is based out of CIBT UK’s London office.
Frank Dolan - Account Manager
Frank is an Account Manager with CIBT UK and is responsible for cultivating and maintaining client relationships for CIBT in the United Kingdom. He joined CIBT in 1996 as an employee of TLCS Global Visa Service. Frank started as an implant manager where he developed a deep understanding of the travel industry and customer service aspect of our business. Frank eventually moved on to become a Team Lead and later a Client Relationship Manager where he developed his professional experience in the areas of strategic relationships development and planning. He is based out of the CIBT UK London office.
Stuart Golding - Account Manager
Stuart is an Account Manager with CIBT UK. He is responsible for maintaining a portfolio of key clients with representation from all sectors of the travel industry. Stuart joined CIBT in 2004 as an employee of TLCS Global Visa Service. Stuart was a member of the operations team where he learned all aspects of the business. His professional expertise includes customer service, training and implementation, and cultivating client relationships. Stuart received a degree in History from Southampton University. He is based out of the CIBT UK London office.
Corporate Leadership Team
John Donoghue - President and Chief Executive Officer
John Donoghue joined CIBT in September of 2008 as Executive Vice President with responsibility for CIBT in North America. Since joining CIBT John has restructured the company’s operations to improve the quality of service delivery, implemented a strong online sales program, and has developed partnerships with some of the world’s largest airlines. Prior to joining CIBT, John held senior management positions with an emphasis on sales, marketing, and customer service with organizations such as Verisign, Network Solutions, The World Wildlife Fund and MCI Telecommunications. John was with MCI for 12 years serving as the company’s Senior Vice President of Marketing overseeing advertising, product development and public relations. John is a summa cum laude graduate of The George Washington University. He is based out of the CIBT corporate offices in McLean, Virginia. John is a member of the CIBT Board of Directors.
Pete Fox – Chief Information Officer
Pete Fox joined CIBT as CIO in September of 2009. He is a senior information technology executive with experience in leadership and development of large-scale distributed network applications, web-based applications, and online products. Under Pete’s guidance, CIBT’s organizational business intelligence capabilities have been advanced as the result of extensive system upgrades. Pete is also leading the redesign of CIBT’s global websites. Before joining CIBT, Pete held various senior positions at Network Solutions, where he lead two major acquisitions and served as the SVP in charge of Engineering, Product development and M&A. He also gained professional experience with companies such as Lockheed Martin and General Electric. Pete has an MS in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is based out of the CIBT corporate offices in McLean, Virginia.
Bill Garrahan - Chief Financial Officer
Bill Garrahan joined CIBT in June of 2011 with over 20 years of senior financial management experience. Bill brings to CIBT a very strong background in financial operations, corporate development and acquisitions. Before joining CIBT, Bill spent over ten years at MCI Telecommunications in variety of senior finance roles including the CFO of the company's six billion dollar Consumer division. He then served as the Senior Vice President of Telecom Equity Research at Lehman Brothers for five years covering start-up telecom, data and internet infrastructure companies. Most recently Bill served as the CFO and Senior Vice President of Business Development at XO Communications. Bill is a graduate of University of Virginia, received a Masters from The George Washington University and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at UVA. He is based out of the CIBT corporate office in McLean, Virginia.
Sandra Woznitski - Senior Vice President of North American Operations
Sandi joined CIBT in March of 2010 as Vice President of Service Delivery. Sandi is a senior customer service, sales, and marketing executive with experience crafting tactical development strategies to increase customer satisfaction and institutional profitability on a global scale. Prior to joining CIBT, Sandi held various senior leadership positions in customer service, sales, and marketing with MCI Communications. She also gained leadership experience as President of Inspiria LLC. Sandi is a cum laude graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. She is based out of the CIBT corporate office in McLean, VA.
Charlie Chalmers - Managing Director - Europe
Charlie Chalmers is the Managing Director of CIBT Europe and is responsible for all aspects of CIBT's business across the continent. He has extensive experience in the areas of business and market development, strategic program implementation and customer service. Before joining CIBT in early 2009, Charlie worked with G4S Security as the Managing Director of their Aviation Security Division. Charlie has a degree in Land Economy with a specialty in Property Investment from Aberdeen University.
Michelle Bailin – Vice President of Partner Marketing
Michelle joined CIBT in January of 2009 as Vice President for Partner Marketing. While with VisaCentral, Michelle has negotiated, implemented, and managed multiple airline marketing programs with airlines such as Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways. She has also created an automated online Australian ETA system for customers and developed multiple affiliate marketing campaigns on behalf of CIBT. Michelle is a marketing executive with significant experience in partner marketing and strategic relationship procurement. Prior to joining CIBT, Michelle founded N&B Consulting, LLC and worked at Revolution Health and MCI. Michelle holds a BS in Marketing from Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University Of Maryland and an MBA from the Kogod School of Business at American University. She is based out of the CIBT corporate offices in McLean, Virginia.
Steven Diehl – Senior Vice President of Global Business Development
Steven Diehl was named Senior Vice President of Global Business Development for CIBT in 2012. Steve leads a team that is responsible for developing comprehensive solutions for a diverse portfolio or existing and prospective clients. As CIBT's clients have expanded into new regions, Steve and his team have played an integral role in providing these customers with a consistent platform and offering that now spans North America, Europe, and Asia. Prior to his current appointment, Steve served various roles, including Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Account Management, during which time he lead his team to grow and retain a diverse portfolio of corporate, government, NGO, and leisure clients. Steve began his career with CIBT in 1996 in New York City. During his tenure, Steve's responsibilities have included operations, account management, sales, business development and training. Steve has worked and resided in New York, Chicago, and Washington, DC during his career with CIBT. Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from Syracuse University where he graduated summa cum laude. He is based out of the CIBT office in New York, New York.
Carlos Jalon – Global Account Director
Carlos joined CIBT in March 2012 as CIBT’s Global Account Director. Based in Europe, Carlos is responsible for leading and supporting CIBT’s account development efforts for the company’s portfolio of largest global accounts, including travel management companies, multi-national corporations, and leisure travel companies. Carlos joins CIBT with twelve years of travel industry experience including sales and account management positions at both Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and Iberia Airlines. During his tenure at CWT, Carlos was a Senior Program Manager responsible for several global clients. He has a national diploma in Marketing obtained from the Cape Technikon in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally from Namibia, Carlos is also a dual citizen of Spain and speaks Spanish fluently.