Dear Esteemed Colleagues,
I am honored to announce my candidacy for ASTA's 2025 National Director. As I reflect on over 40 enriching years since founding All-Travel in 1984 with just a single employee, I am invigorated by the prospect of supporting ASTA into a promising future—not just for our individual agencies, but for the integrity and innovation of our entire industry.
A Journey of Leadership and Innovation
Over the years, All-Travel has evolved into an influential entity with over 40 members of staff, three bustling storefront locations, and numerous home-based advisors. We were an early adaptor of the internet publishing our first website in 1992. Our presence continues to be a vital cornerstone of our operations, standing testament to our forward-thinking approach and commitment to accessible, high-quality travel experiences.
With a strong focus on vacation travel, especially luxury cruises, we have garnered recognition as top producers with many leading luxury brands. Simultaneously, our corporate department, dedicated to smaller accounts, exemplifies the personalized service that remains our hallmark.
Champions of ASTA and Industry Collaboration
Shortly after inaugurating our business, we aligned with Leisure Travel Group (LTG), ultimately becoming pivotal members of the Signature Travel Network—one of the premier consortia nationwide. I served as Signature Treasurer and eight years as Board Chair. I applaud the position of Signature’s Board in requiring Signature members’ participation in ASTA. This strategic move underscored my belief in ASTA’s indispensable role as a catalyst for industry stability and growth.
My commitment to fostering collaboration within our sector has extended to numerous advisory board roles over the years, currently serving on Seabourn's Advisory Board. Moreover, I take pride in supporting All-Travel’s Vice President's work on the Travel + Leisure Advisory Board and Northstar’s Black Travel Advisory Board.
Decades of Dedication and Advocacy
My personal journey with ASTA saw me serving on the National Board of Directors from 2015 to 2019, including roles as Treasurer and Vice Chair. These years were marked by collaborative initiatives aimed at steering ASTA through precarious waters and into realms of new opportunity.
In recognizing the value of peer review and support, I purchased TAMS from Bob Joselyn 8 years ago — an extensive peer-to-peer and financial benchmarking group that connects over 90 members from a diverse array of consortia around the country, offering crucial insights and collective brainstorming, ultimately empowering us to tackle current industry challenges.
Vision for ASTA's Future
Our industry stands at an inflection point—faced with evolving consumer expectations and an increasingly globalized marketplace. My candidacy is driven by a commitment to fostering a vibrant and resilient ASTA presence that adapts seamlessly to these shifts while remaining steadfast in its advocacy for our members’ interest in Washington and various state legislators. I strongly believe in the efforts by ASTA in promoting consumer awareness of the travel professional.
Voices United for Excellence and Advocacy
What makes our travel community formidable is the tapestry of perspectives each of us brings to the table—from diverse business models to geographical variations across the United States. As your National Director, my goal is to harness this diversity to amplify our collective voice and catalyze innovative solutions that reflect the breadth of our industry in these changing times.
Embracing this future, I ask for your vote and extend my deepest gratitude for your consideration and trust. Together, let us champion an ASTA that not only navigates the dynamic tides of change but emerges as the beacon that guides our industry's evolution.
With warm regards,
Eric J. Maryanov, CTC
My name is Lee Thomas, and I am running for a Director – Premium Category position on the ASTA Board of Directors. I am currently serving in my second year (first term) as an At Large - Board Member, Vice Chairman and Secretary. I am a longtime ASTA member and supporter and had previous experience on the Board prior to this most recent engagement:
- 2007-2009 - CAC (Corporate Advisory Committee) Secretary and Treasurer
- 2008 - Board of Directors alternate in 2008
- 2009-2011 - ASTA Board of Directors and CAC Vice Chairman
- 2011-2013 - ASTA Executive Committee and CAC Chairman where I helped with the hire of current ASTA CEO Zane Kerby during this time
- 2023 – 2025 – ASTA Board of Directors Vice Chairman and Executive Committee member.
I have worked in the travel industry for 30 years and am currently a co-founder of NousTravel, a travel agency startup with a concentration of Independent Contractors and Travel Advisors focusing on luxury and entertainment travel. Formally, I was Chief Operating Officer and President for Business Travel with ALTOUR and President of The Travel Authority, an ALTOUR company. I retired from ALTOUR in December of 2023.
In my 30-year career, I have a wide range of leadership experience working with Advisors and Independent Contractors for both small and very large travel companies. I have Leadership experience serving Advisors and Independent Contractors supporting managed corporate travel, leisure travel, entertainment travel, and meeting and incentives. I am uniquely positioned to represent the ASTA membership serving Customers and Advisors in every travel vertical.
My career started with a small retail agency servicing both corporate and leisure travel locally. Over this 30-year period, this agency was acquired 4 times. Each time, the business became larger and more diverse adding to my experience leading up to running a large global business. I have vast experience on both the buy and sell side of travel and travel agencies. These experiences built my understanding of the needs of travel companies of all sizes, from small independent businesses to mega agencies.
My experience includes leadership roles at ASTA during some of the most challenging times at the beginning of the recession and a member of the Executive Committee during a transformation time at ASTA. As the current Vice Chairman, I am also the only Executive Committee member able to run for a second term. The current Chairperson, Treasurer, and CAC representative are all at the end of their respective terms. I believe its important to have continuity in ASTA leadership to ensure smooth transition.
I have always been a champion of ASTA’s Advocacy work, and in 2012, I was honored to be the recipient of the Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award for my work on a multi-state grassroots campaign related to proposed legislation of unfair taxes on agency revenues. I helped formulate the strategy for the “save your miles campaign” and public awareness campaign detailing AA’s failed strategy. I continue to support annually ASTA’s Legislative Day on Capitol Hill as well as grassroots when needed.
Outside of ASTA, I am currently the Treasurer of the Young Presidents’ Organization, Bluegrass Gold Chapter, former board member for Commonwealth Business Travel Group (CBTG 2008 – 2023) and have served on the board of the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, where I make my home.
I love to travel and recently visited my 7th continent. It has been an incredible honor to spend my career helping Travel Advisors and travel business owners. For that reason, I am declaring my candidacy for ASTA’s Board in hopes of continuing to contribute to ASTA’s growth and success, and I look forward to the chance to serve in the Premium Category Director position.
