Newsmaker: WizCom Turns To HFS Vet To Drive Changes
<B> Newsmaker: WizCom Turns To HFS Vet To Drive Changes</B>
By Mary Ann McNulty
By promoting Flo Lugli last month to the post of new president and general manager of WizCom International Ltd.'s global distribution system--which is used by more than 80 hotels and 20 car rental companies--Cendant Corp. has delivered on promises to strengthen its subsidiary, and has made Lugli the highest ranking woman to head a travel technology company.
An 11-year veteran at Cendant and predecessor HFS, Lugli most recently served as vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for the hotel division. She was responsible for the centralized, multi-brand sales for Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Villager Lodge and Wingate Inns.
Lugli also is past president and current treasurer of the Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association, an international organization that promotes the use of GDS and other electronic means for hotel bookings. With Lugli as president, HEDNA's membership grew to over 200 hotel and technology companies, from just 70.
Reflecting on her position as a former customer of WizCom, Lugli said, she "understands the equation, understands the impact of customer service and brings a lot to the table," in her new appointment.
Upon her promotion last month, Lugli said, she and other WizCom executives were out talking to its hotland car rental customers to learn their problems and priorities for future developments. In coming weeks, WizCom executives plan to prioritize the wish lists. In the meantime, Lugli intends to announce some developments at a meeting this week.
"Our future focus is responding to our customers," Lugli said. She sees big opportunities for WizCom to help its customers manage data, as well as manage and control distribution of data through the GDS. Besides the Cendant company hotels and Avis car rental, WizCom's biggest customers include Budget Rent A Car, Omni, Radisson and SRS hotels.
Although she has not had any discussions with customers seeking technology to facilitate direct connections to corporate users--bypassing the CRS--Lugli said, "there are opportunities to connect our customers to anyone. We will be responsive."
One of those customers, Radisson, said Lugli's promotion was a welcome development at WizCom. "Flo is a very competent individual. She's been in the indutry a long time and understands the needs. She has the backbone to pull it off," said Scott Heintzeman, vice president of knowledge technologies for the Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, which includes Radisson.
Formed in 1987, WizCom had 1997 revenues of $86 million and more than 600 employees. However, in recent years, the company has been a revolving door of top management with its last president, Dave McNicholas, promoted to chief information officer for parent Cendant. Then, Brad Booze, general manager for sister company Resort Condominiums International, took on the dual role as head of both companies. Executives thought Booze would be able to capitalize on synergies between the two reservation/distribution companies, but in the end, there were few synergies, explained a Cendant spokesman. Booze stepped down from the WizCom post last month to devote his efforts to RCI.