Maritz Consolidation Eliminates Layer Of Management

<B> Maritz Consolidation Eliminates Layer Of Management</B>

By Sarah Welt

Maritz Travel Co. recently consolidated its seven former regions into three geographic areas--Eastern, Central and Western--and made some staff changes as a result.

It named Scott Guerrero vice president-area director for the Eastern region, Steve Weiner a vice president-area director for Central and Mike Koetting a vice president-area director for Western.

President and CEO Michael Boland said driving the consolidation "was a need to ensure that we are running as efficient an operation as possible and applying best practices consistently," noting that the changes "really in effect are taking another layer of management out. The three area directors report directly to me. It is one stop between the client, the area director and the CEO."

Also as a result of the realignment, CIO Richard Spradling now will head charge a travel processing unit and will study emerging technologies and electronic commerce.

Additionally, last month Boland announced the promotions of Bill DeRoze and Kathy Dyer to vice presidents of strategic sales, and Janet Wheatley to vice president of operations and distribution.

DeRoze began his career with Maritz in 1974 and most recently served as vice president of business development. Dyer began her career with Maritz in June 1994 as the director of sales. She now will focus primarily on building relationships with large and multinational prospective customers. Wheatley, who most recently served as vice president and general manager of the Midwest region, now reports to CIO Spradling.