Our workplace is not just about work – it’s about opportunity.

Most of our team members have been with us for a significant part of our history. nuTravel nurtures a wealth of knowledge and experience, and our reputation for exceptionalism is well known in the industry. Whether it’s employees, vendors, or clients, we treat people well.

Carmine Carpanzano

President, CEO & Board Member

As President and CEO, Carmine Carpanzano is responsible for strategic planning and business development. From December of 1989 to June of 2003, Carmine served as Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of Advance Travel, a $30 million corporate travel business, with offices in Bermuda and Stamford, CT, as well as affiliate locations in London, Dublin and Hong Kong.

Carmine began his career in the travel industry in 1987 as Director of Marketing and operations for American Travel Service, a wholesale tour operator to Nassau, Bahamas and Cancun, Mexico, and was responsible for charter operations and hotel contract negotiations as well as a sales force of 50 sales representatives stationed throughout the East Coast.

Carmine attended The University of Connecticut from 1983 to 1984 and Pace University from 1984 to 1986.

Michael J. Materasso

Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Vice Chairman of Board

As President of Allegiant Interactive Development, Michael J. Materasso co-founded nuTravel Technology Solutions as a result of strategic initiatives with key clients and was instrumental in the formation of the nuTravel operational model. Prior to Allegiant ID, Michael was a Director of Professional Services for Commerce One, Inc. As Director, Michael was responsible for operations and delivery for large scale consulting services and staff management within the custom e-commerce line of business, as well as three offices and $20M in annual revenue. Prior to Commerce One, Mr. Materasso’s experience with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Ciba-Geigy and Merrill Lynch included Financial Systems Application Consulting, 401K and Pension Plan investment and management, Trust Reporting & ERISA Compliance, Corporate Budgeting and Investment Banking.

Michael holds a BA from Iona College with majors in Accounting and Management Information Systems.

Joseph J. Sternlicht

Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer

As the Chief Technology Officer for nuTravel, Joseph Sternlicht brings more than 18 years of Software Development and Management experience. For the past 12 years, Joseph has focused exclusively on Internet technologies from Java to Network Operations. Having been a key player in such companies as Prodigy, Mail.com, and Commerce One, Joseph has built several high volume and high availability Internet infrastructures. At Prodigy, Joe led the Advanced Technologies Group in researching and demonstrating the applications and limitations of the latest Internet technologies.

Joseph received his Masters Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Artificial Intelligence from Florida Tech.

Paul LaBate

Director, Software Development

Paul brings 10 years of experience in mission critical Software Development and Systems Integration. Prior to nuTravel, Paul was a Senior Consultant at Commerce One, a hands on Developer and Technical Lead for dozens of multi-million dollar ERP efforts. Paul has spent the last five years developing Java-based Data-Driven Transaction Systems and Web Services for the Travel Industry and is considered a Domain Expert on Computer Reservation Systems and Global Distribution Systems.

Paul is a graduate of the University of Connecticut.

Joseph Ascanio

Director, Interactive Media & Marketing

Joseph brings over 12 years of experience to the conceptualization and execution of all online media initiatives, marketing campaigns, user-interface design and deployment. He has a diverse background in identifying markets, defining and refining corporate visions, and enabling products and services for the web.

Joseph’s prior experience with Allegiant Interactive Development includes project management and media development; designing online and offline marketing campaigns, corporate web sites and associated technology infrastructures required to support business objectives. Joseph also worked with Expo International and MBIA Insurance Corporation, directing the production of online and offline visual product development while enhancing the quality, productivity, and profitability of each campaign.

Joseph currently holds a BA in Computer Science from Pace University.

Steven Lackner

Director, Client Services

As Director of Client Services, Steven is responsible for all agency partner, reseller, corporate travel department and corporate direct relationships. He assists clients in driving adoption through marketing and motivational campaigns and helps develop strategy for overall cost savings opportunities. He brings over 11 years of Customer Service and Corporate Business Development experience.

From 2004 to May 2006, Steven worked as Director of Business Development for JourneyCorp Travel Management, a Mid-Market agency with over $100 million in corporate travel sales. He was responsible for developing new corporate business in both the online and traditional service structure.

From 1995 to 2004, Steven worked for Advance Travel Limited as Sales and Account Manager where he covered business development and client relations in the United States, Bermuda, Europe and Hong Kong.

Steven holds a B.S. in Marketing from Fairfield University.

Gus Alba

Director of Sales

Mr. Alba is a seasoned travel sales professional with extensive airline and travel technology experience, most notably in direct selling, consultative selling and developing customer relationships. Having performed as a leader and developer of sales teams, Alba possesses outstanding knowledge of the travel supplier/customer negotiations process.

Prior to joining nuTravel in 2007, Alba was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BusinessJet Class, where he was responsible for positioning and selling a fully automated GDS private charter jet solution for the retail agency channel and corporate travel departments.
Mr. Alba also served as the Regional Sales Director for Worldspan, a Global Distribution System, where he managed a team of 12 while covering 18 states in the U.S. East region.

His other prior positions include Sales Manager at telecommunication company Sonera, Inc., Regional Sales Manager at Northeast USA and Country Manager of Commercial Sales for Finnair.

Mr. Alba holds Bachelor of Arts from Hosfstra University.

Pedro Ceron

Director, Sales

Pedro brings over twenty years of professional experience in Sales and Client Relationships. Pedro’s previous positions include Food and Beverage Director in Corporate Dining, Purchasing Director in Hotel Food & Beverage, and Business Development Positions with Airlines, GDS and Corporate Self Booking Tools. With deep exposure to Food & Beverage, Meetings and Events, Hospitality, Airlines, IT and Travel Distribution Technologies, Pedro is thoroughly versed and uniquely capable of understanding the multiple complexities behind Travel Management, T&E and their technology dependencies.

A desire to understand the human element behind business needs drives Pedro to prioritize the Relationship aspect of business interactions resulting in increased value through trust, respect and the sincere goal of mutual success. Highly developed competencies in Interpersonal Communication, Management of People, Projects, Budgets, Sales and Market Development and most of all – Expectations, support Pedro’s effort in building constructive, profitable and lasting partnerships.

Pedro holds a B.S. in International Management from Pace University

Additional Board Members

Joseph R. Zimmel

Chairman

Mr. Zimmel served on the board of directors of Modem Media, Inc. from May 4, 1999 until he joined the Digitas Inc. Board of Directors in October 2004. Mr. Zimmel is currently a private investor. From December 2001 until November 2002, Mr. Zimmel served as an Advisory Director to the Goldman Sachs Group.

Prior to that engagement, Mr. Zimmel held the position of Managing Director of the Communications, Media & Entertainment Group for the Americas in the investment banking division at Goldman, Sachs & Co., from 1999 to 2001. Mr. Zimmel served as a Managing Director and the head of that group from 1992 to 1999. Mr. Zimmel also serves on the board of directors of CenturyTel, Inc.

Ron DiLeo

Board Member

Ron is a thirty-year travel industry veteran who currently operates his own consulting practice, IN THE BLACK, specializing in travel and business management performance. He was one of the founding members of the British Airways OpenSkies airline subsidiary where he served as Chief Commercial Officer, where he had executive oversight for all aspects of marketing, sales, distribution and revenue management in both Europe and the United States.

Prior to the OpenSkies engagement, Ron was Senior Vice President and General Manager of American Express Travel EMEA, based in London, which during his tenure was a $7B business, employing 6300 people, and encompassing twenty-one markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His direct responsibilities included operations, client retention and growth, sales, marketing, and supplier relations. He set the overall strategic direction for the region as part of the American Express Travel global executive team.

Ron also served on the board of American Express Europe Ltd, which set direction for all American Express businesses operating in the region which at the time included the American Express Corporate and Consumer Card businesses, the Establishment Services business, the Global Network Services business, and the American Express Bank.

Prior to American Express, Ron was the Chief Operating Officer of Rosenbluth International, a privately held global travel management company, employing 3800 people, with offices in forty-eight countries around the world. During his twenty-five years with Rosenbluth, Ron held various leadership roles in operations, sales, marketing, and client management.

Ron also serves on the board of advisors for Hudson Crossing, a strategic advisory firm that helps companies improve business performance in the travel, tourism and hospitality space. He is also on the board of trustees for the Historic Delaware Canal Improvement Corporation, which is a privately funded group serving the community in the interest of historic preservation.

Richard Miller

Board Member

After 30 years with American Express, Mr. Miller consults for small companies with emphasis on the development, expansion, and execution of their individual business plans; focusing on helping companies increase their sales and revenue by broadening their business offering.
Miller began his tenure with American Express in 1974, and throughout 30 years there held several positions within the Card, Financial Services, Establishment Services and Travel businesses. He has managed all aspects of the business including sales, marketing, operations and account retention.

Miller’s last position at American Express was as Vice President and General Manager of the Global Interactive Travel Group for American Express Corporate Travel. Leading the group, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the its interactive and on-line travel business, including strategy development, product development, sales, marketing, operations, and account development.

Prior to this, Miller was appointed as the Vice President of Small Business and Specialty Travel in 1996, responsible for developing and implementing U.S.strategy for the expansion of the Small Business Travel segment. He also served as Vice President for West Region Sales & Marketing from 1987 to 1991, at which time he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of the West Region HQ for the Consumer Card Group.

Mr. Miller received a BA degree from Hillsdale College and has done graduate work at St. Mary’s College.

Paul H. Warren

Board Member

Paul H. Warren is a private investor and the CEO of Antipodean Partners LLC, a private company formed to look at ventures in financial services, healthcare and environmental initiatives. Paul was a co-founder, and until December 31, 2000 a Partner of Capital Z Partners a $3.25 billion alternative investment fund.

Prior to co-founding Capital Z Partners, Paul was a Partner in Insurance Partners I, LP (”IP I”) a S540 million private equity fund. Prior to the formation of IP I, Paul was a Managing Director of International Insurance Investors, LP. From June 1986 until February 1992, Paul was a Vice President in investment banking at J.P. Morgan & Co. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Paul was an Assistant Secretary in the Government of Hong Kong and from March 1979 until November 1982, a Senior Inspector of Police in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force.

Paul received a B.A. (Honors) degree in Politics and Law from the University of Otago, New Zealand.

Robert A. Spass

Board Member

Robert A. Spass is a Partner of Capital Z Financial Services Partners. Mr. Spass currently serves on the board of directors for the following companies: Aames Investment Corporation; Ceres Group, Inc.; Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd.; Lancashire Insurance Company Limited; Universal American Financial Corp.; and USI Holdings Corp.

Prior to co-founding Capital Z in 1998, Mr. Spass was the Managing Partner and co-founder of Insurance Partners, L.P. Mr. Spass also was President and CEO of International Insurance Advisors, Inc., the management company of International Insurance Investors, L.P. Prior to joining International Insurance Investors, Mr. Spass was a Director of Investment Banking at Salomon Brothers with responsibility for corporate finance relationships with the insurance industry. Prior to joining Salomon, Mr. Spass was a Senior Manager for Peat Marwick Main & Co., providing accounting and consulting services for the insurance industry.
Mr. Spass received a B.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo.