Travel Leaders Leisure Group announced today that Mark Schiffner has officially resigned from his post as vice president and chief operating officer of Cruise Holidays effective April 30, 2013. Schiffner has led the organization over the past four years.

In his statement, Schiffner explained he will become the owner and chief executive officer of a growing hair care franchise company in Canada, his home country.  “It has been an honor to be a small part of where Cruise Holidays has come over the last four years,” expressed Mark Schiffner.  “My sincere hope is that in my new venture I will have the same privilege to work with colleagues as dedicated and talented as the current Cruise Holidays headquarters team, as knowledgeable and helpful as my peers in Travel Leaders Leisure Group and with a group of ambitious and diligent franchise owners that have become my family.”

Schiffner is a 25 year veteran of the travel industry having spent the majority of his career with Cruise Holidays in shaping and developing the company’s current franchise program.  During his tenure at Cruise Holidays, Schiffner led the creation and improvement of a variety of new programs and initiatives in the areas of travel technology, marketing and training, as well as expanded the company’s franchise recruitment internationally in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

In the interim period, Tom Baumann, president of Travel Leaders Leisure Group is stepping in to lead the cruise business.  “I am thrilled for Mark and his new business ownership, but we will dearly miss his vision, leadership, and passion for the Cruise Holidays brand and people as well as his friendship and the pleasure it was working alongside of him during the past four years.  I wish nothing but the best for Mark in his new venture,” said Baumann.  “We have made incredible advancements to the Cruise Holidays business during the last four years and we will continue to move ahead as planned with all of our exciting programs and developments for 2013 and beyond.”