ANC Rental Taps Travis Tanner To Head Sales, Mktg.

In its second major appointment since declaring bankruptcy, ANC Rental Corp., parent company of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent a Car, last month named Travis Tanner senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Tanner, who calls himself a "quality zealot," joined ANC after founding Grand Expeditions Inc.—an upscale tour operator—in order to focus on quality in the more tangible, supplier-oriented way, he said, while bringing to ANC his larger understanding of distribution channels. "Customers still are the people who you serve, and the people who do the best job for the customer end up winning," he said. "I wanted to be at a company that unlike an agency has some chance to control quality elements."

Tanner's past experience in the travel industry lends a broadbased view. He has served as CEO of Carlson Travel Group, where he oversaw the merger of Carlson with Wagonlit Travel. Tanner also has held positions at Walt Disney Attractions, including as president of Walt Disney Travel Co., executive vice president of resorts and senior vice president of sales.

"ANC was looking for someone to help build the business, not just deal with bankruptcy," Tanner said. "I saw it as the greatest opportunity I've ever seen. It's a fresh start with a big company." Though it is a critical time for ANC, which declared bankruptcy last November, Tanner said loyalty to the National and Alamo brands remains impressive. "You would think you would lose your best employees and customers during bankruptcy, but they've all been loyal. Wait until we do everything right."

"The appointment of Travis confirms our strong belief that we will successfully manage through our current situation and that our future is bright," said president and COO of ANC, Lawrence Ramaekers, who last month also was appointed CEO.

During the bankruptcy process, corporate customers can expect no major consolidation of the separate brands, both of which will continue to serve the corporate client, Tanner said.

"They both have a critical role to play in the business market," he said. "My ultimate objective would be, when companies choose their two preferred car rental companies, they'll choose National and Alamo. Our customers and potential customers will see we'll be a force to be reckoned with in this industry."