Carlson Inc., an international travel management company and private investment firm, announces the appointments of Pamela Arway and Kurt Ekert to the Board of Directors, effective 1 May. Additionally, Lee Chaden will be retiring from the Board effective 30 June.

Pamela M. Arway currently serves as an independent director on the boards of DaVita Inc., The Hershey Corporation and Iron Mountain Incorporated. She is a former President of American Express International, Japan, Asia-Pacific, Australia region, culminating a 21-year career with the company. An MBA graduate of Queen’s University, Ontario, Pam also holds a bachelor’s degree in languages from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Pam to the board. Her extensive business experience and travel industry knowledge along with her broad governance expertise make her an ideal addition to our board,” said Diana Nelson, Chair of Carlson Inc.

Kurt Ekert has been President and CEO of CWT since April 2016 and is Vice Chairman of the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel & Tourism Advisory Board. He is also a director of Passur Aerospace, the World Travel & Tourism Council, and the UNGA Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, and is an advisor to Freebird Inc. Kurt holds a B.S. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the University of South Carolina, and saw active duty as a U.S. Army officer.

“This appointment recognizes Kurt’s many contributions to our business over the past three years and I look forward to working with him both as the CEO of CWT and a member of our board,” said Diana Nelson, Chair of Carlson Inc.

Separately, we say thank you and farewell to Lee, after twelve years as a director of our company. His vast experience has been a huge asset to both our board discussions and our thinking over the years, and we wish him well in his retirement.”