CIRI Alaska Tourism Corp. (CATC) hired Paul Landis as its new chief operating officer on April 13. A long-time Alaskan, Landis previously served as president and chief executive officer at Alaska regional airline Era Aviation Inc. and has more than 20 years of experience in Alaska aviation and tourism.
“Paul brings the right skills at the right time to CATC,” said Sophie Minich, CIRI chief operating officer and CATC president. “We are very pleased to have him head up CATC’s numerous, diverse and growing operations.”
Following an exhaustive search, Landis was selected for the position based on his strong operational and marketing skills. He most recently served as the chairman of the Alaska Aviation Advisory Board, and has served on numerous other boards, including the Alaska Visitors Association Board.
“I believe I’ve just been handed the best job in Alaska,” said Landis. “CATC provides a network of lodging and adventures that show off the very best Alaska has to offer, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity.”
Landis plans to focus on continuing CATC’s culture of safety in its operations, maintaining CATC’s high level of customer service and meeting a challenging Alaska tourism market with strategic offerings that give customers high value.
CATC is a wholly owned CIRI subsidiary and Southcentral Alaska’s largest shore-based tour operator. CATC’s operations include the Alaska Heritage Tours booking company, Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises marine day-cruise companies, the Seward Windsong Lodge near Kenai Fjords National Park, the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge near Denali National Park and the Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island in Resurrection Bay, also near Kenai Fjords National Park. Please visit www.ciritourism.com for more information.