Press Release
For Immediate Release
27 October 2009
ACTE Celebrates Susan Gurley's Achievements Over 4 Years as Executive Director
Alexandria, VA --
Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) President Richard Crum today announced that Susan Gurley will leave ACTE. Gurley informed ACTE’s board of directors of her desire to return to Government service earlier in the summer. Megan Costello, currently Deputy Executive Director, will become interim Executive Director on 1 December 2009. Gurley has agreed to remain in an advisory capacity with ACTE through January 1, 2010.
“Susan Gurley saw ACTE’s greatest expansion throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle-East. Under her direction, ACTE convened the first Latin American, Canadian, and African regional conferences and business travel management forums in Russia, India, and Nigeria,” said Crum. "She also convened the first carbon-low conference within the industry. In conjunction with the ACTE leadership, she introduced a number of issues to the industry that held considerable significance for both business and leisure travelers -- such as the US border laptop search and seizure question. Sensitive to the impact of business travel on the environment, she was one of the first proponents -- and pioneers -- of making Corporate Social Responsibility a key agenda for the business travel industry.”
Crum added that Gurley placed people above processes, and made sure ACTE moved quickly with pandemic planning (working with the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention), had security recommendations ready for the traveling public in the wake of the Mumbai disaster, and advised the Obama administration of a potential internet overload in the event of a global H1N1 swine influenza outbreak. She also sought to involve the association in a global effort to curtail the trafficking of women and children as one of her first endeavors as ACTE Executive Director, in 2005.
“She has been a tremendous asset to ACTE, with her vision and insight, and will assist the association through a period of transition,” said Crum. ACTE has begun the process of selecting a new executive director. An executive director search committee has been formed and will begin the candidate review process in conjunction with the board.
ABOUT ACTE:
The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. Our members serve more than 12 million business travellers worldwide. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org.
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