A senior marketing professional with experience at the world’s largest timeshare development company will now direct sales efforts for Spirit Incentives, one of the nation’s most respected incentive organizations.
Jim Walsh, a veteran of over two decades in the timeshare industry, has been named Vice President of Sales by Spirit Incentives president Gary Barron. Walsh joined Spirit after nine years with Wyndham Vacation Resorts, where he most recently served as Senior VP of Marketing, helping to lead that company to its status as the nation’s largest vacation ownership company. His formerly held positions at Wyndham include: Vice President of Marketing and Director of Marketing.

In his new position, Walsh will develop, manage and guide all sales activities, including its primary (Direct and Value Added Retailers) and its secondary (Brokers and Resellers) distribution channels. In coordination with product development, production, finance, marketing, and servicing, Walsh will also interface with internal support areas to maintain high service standards and client relationships.  As the new VP of Sales, he will also review and implement marketing initiatives, in coordination with all aspects of the sales organization, providing recommendations to support improvement and growth.

Added Walsh, “Having used Spirit Incentives as a valuable vendor for the last 18 years, I am confident that our past relationship will serve as a springboard to help provide further growth successes for the company.”
Prior to his affiliation with Wyndham Resorts, Walsh was president of a marketing company that  provided marketing support functions for Marriott Vacation Club and Fairfield Resorts, now Wyndham Vacation Ownership.   He also served as Project Director for three Caribbean resort properties in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Spirit Incentives is a full service, privately owned incentive marketing firm specializing in marketing programs delivered as customer acquisition, retention and reward incentives. Founded in 1990 and located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spirit has become respected as the premier incentive solution provider for small to medium sized businesses as well as private and Fortune 500 companies. Spirit’s client list and travel vendor partners are among the most successful and prestigious in the country.
Visit: www.Spirit-Incentives.com

Tara Cappadona has been named to the newly created position of Resource Manager for Spirit Incentives, one of the nation’s premier incentive companies.

A Spirit Incentives employee for nearly two years, Cappadona works directly with vendor partners and Spirit’s internal fulfillment department to ensure that all product certificates are properly serviced. This involves establishing and building vendor partner relationships and negotiating contracts with various cruise lines, hotel wholesalers, airlines and car rental companies. She also coordinates the input of vendor information into the company’s extensive database and assists in preparing materials for agent training.

According to Taylor Billington, Executive VP for Spirit Incentives, “With her extensive background, Tara is the ideal person to serve as liaison between our company and our travel partners. Her skills as a negotiator, marketing analyst and long-term strategic planner have been highly beneficial to our corporation. We are delighted have her in this key position.”

“Since I have been with Spirit Incentives, I have met some truly amazing people,” added Cappadona, “My goal is to help provide the optimal experience for our customers.”  Prior to joining Spirit Incentives in January 2008, the Northeastern University graduate gained nine years of experience working in product development as well as providing strategic planning guidance to various travel industries, including cruise lines and hotels.

Spirit Incentives is a full service, privately owned incentive marketing firm specializing in marketing programs delivered as customer acquisition, retention and reward incentives. Founded in 1990 and located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spirit has become respected as the premier incentive solution provider for small to medium sized businesses as well as private and Fortune 500 companies. Spirit’s client list and travel vendor partners are among the most successful and prestigious in the country.
Visit: www.Spirit-Incentives.com