Petaluma, CA – The Melbourne, Australia-based Intrepid Group has named Cyndi Zesk President of their USA operations, which are based in Petaluma, CA. Intrepid Group is the world’s largest adventure travel tour operator and consists of eight brands specializing in worldwide small group adventure travel including Intrepid Travel, Peregrine Adventures, Geckos Adventures and Urban Adventures.
In her new role, Zesk will develop the strategic business plan as well as create the marketing and sales vision for the company in the United States. She will lead the team of sales and marketing professionals who work throughout the US and in Intrepid’s Petaluma, CA-based office.
“I’m very excited to join a truly innovative group of travel professionals who lead Intrepid Group," said Zesk. “Together they have built the largest, most diverse and arguably the most creative array of adventure travel brands in the market. It's inspiring to be a part of this passionate team who love what they do and are customer-obsessed. In addition, they believe as I do that the US has the potential of being the largest region globally for the company, and they are willing to invest in that vision."
Zesk most recently served as Managing Director, US and VP of Global Marketing for the Toronto-based G Adventures, and prior to that she was the VP of Global Marketing for Rhode Island-based Collette Vacations.
The former President of Intrepid US, Matt Berna, has moved into the role of President of PEAK Destination Management Companies (DMC) in North America, a sister company to Intrepid Group that develops and operates the delivery of vacation packages throughout the US and Canada. Berna will lead a team from PEAK’s Santa Rosa, CA location.