Leadership

We have an innovation mindset in a culture of commitment, transparency and collaboration

When you partner with Adelman Travel, you gain access to our team of dedicated problem-solvers, innovative strategists, and forward-thinking industry experts. Guided by our value proposition pillars—Innovation, Execution Matters, and Radical Candor and Honest Dialogue—we are committed to understanding your unique needs, overcoming challenges, and implementing the latest ideas and best practices to enhance your travel program.

You’re always welcome to connect directly with any of our senior executives to discuss your program or simply check in. As a privately held company, we prioritize our customers over shareholders, and we measure our success by the value and results we deliver to you. With Adelman Travel, you gain a true partner who is fully invested in your success.

Meet the team

Jason Horstman, President & COO shares how Adelman's Mission, Vision and Core Values provide the guidance operating, interacting with one another, and delivering excellent service customers.

Learn More About Jason

Jason Horstman

President and Chief Operating Officer

Jason Horstman is a travel industry veteran with over 30 years of experience. As President & COO, Jason is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Adelman Travel. His duties include oversight of sales & marketing, operations, client success, IT/technology, people & culture, our vacation travel brands, and the financial strength of Adelman Travel. Jason previously held leadership positions in sales, operations and supplier relations with BCD Travel, Cendant, CWT, TravelCorp, and Northwestern Travel Management. He uses his expertise and 30 years of industry knowledge to position Adelman for growth and a sustainable future, as he delivers on our promise to partner with our clients to help them achieve strong and successful travel programs. Jason resides in the Minneapolis area with his wife, and they enjoy escaping to their family cabin in Northern Minnesota with their three grown children, granddaughter, and grandson.

Angela Abbate

SVP, Vacation Brands

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Angela Abbate

SVP, Vacation Brands

Angela leads Adelman’s vacation brands, which include Adelman Vacations and our group affinity travel divisions: Adelman Discoveries and Food & Wine Trails. Additionally, she oversees Adelman’s Vendor Partner Management team, with a key focus on strengthening preferred relationships and overall agency performance. Angela has been with Adelman Travel since 1995 and has over 25 years of experience in corporate and vacation travel. She started her career from the ground up, working as a corporate travel consultant for Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She also has experience managing emergency service operations. Angela credits her frontline experience, as well as her variety of positions in the industry, for giving her a foundation grounded in true customer service, which she uses to effectively lead her teams. Angela Abbate attended Texas State University and the International Airlines Travel Academy in Dallas.

Melinda Kirkham

Vice President, Corporate Sales & Client Success

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Melinda Kirkham

Vice President, Corporate Sales & Client Success

In her role as Vice President, Melinda oversees a high-performing team and shapes the strategic vision for the corporate sales and client success departments. She is dedicated to creating innovative approaches that resonate with clients and contributes to the sustained growth of the organization. Melinda’s leadership is characterized by a keen understanding of market dynamics and commitment to achieving measurable results. She understands that lasting partnerships go beyond transactions, and Melinda is committed to ensuring that clients not only achieve their immediate goals but also thrive in the long run.

Melinda joined Adelman in 2018 after more than a decade working in business travel. Melinda’s contributions to the industry were recognized in 2017 when she received the Business Travel Professional Service Award from the Global Business Travel Association. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Business degree in Marketing.

Denise Clark

Vice President of Finance

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Denise Clark

Vice President of Finance

Denise Clark leads Adelman Travel’s finance and accounting teams and is responsible for determining the company’s financial needs, overseeing its forecasting, and budgeting process, and creating and maintaining its capital structure. Her responsibilities and experience include managing pricing, billing, P&L analysis, balance sheet reconciliation, contract reviews and overall process improvements. Prior to her current position, Denise worked at BCD Travel, where she spent 20+ years in various global finance and accounting capacities. Some of her responsibilities and experience have included; assistant controller, year-end audits, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, cash management responsibilities and month-end close processes.

Jennifer Torre

Vice President, Technology

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Jennifer Torre

VP, Technology

Jennifer Torre has over 22 years of experience in the travel industry. As Vice President of Technology, she is responsible for Automation, Product Development, Information Technology, Reporting and Security functions and works to create synergies in the delivery of data and travel technology, with a focus on both internal and client-facing solutions that drive operational efficiencies and customer satisfaction.

Jennifer has extensive experience in Management Information Systems (MIS) and a degree in programming.

Jeff Ochaita

Sr. Director Customer Technology & Global Solutions

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Jeff Ochaita

Senior Director, Customer Technology & Global Solutions

Jeff Ochaita is a results-driven business leader with over 28 years of travel industry experience. With an extensive background in travel and expense management, operations and sales, Jeff is responsible for leading the Customer Solutions Engineer Team to provide services and solutions to customers, both internal and external, with Adelman’s suite of technology, products, and global offerings.

Jeff is involved with consultative planning focused on innovation, product enhancements, global multinational consolidation strategies and goal obtainment, to meet market demands, define best practices and meet our customer’s changing needs. Jeff is passionate about the travel industry and has a proven track record of success working in various positions during his 24+ tenure at Adelman Travel.

In 2023, Jeff became a member of the GBTA Payment Solutions Committee. The GBTA Payment Solutions Committee Provides strategic direction for business travel payment. The committee provides leadership to members and the global business travel community through education, strategic direction, and universal standards, as it relates to travel payment.

Molli Lynch

Senior Director, Customer Experience

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Molli Lynch

Senior Director, Customer Experience

Spearheading Adelman’s Customer Experience Team, Molli leads the omni-channel operation for service delivery, which includes: elite service, full service, online support, group air and related support functions. With over 23 years’ experience in the travel industry, and a diverse background in operations and customer service related positions, Molli’s skillset combines the leadership and expertise desired for delivering exceptional service to the end traveler, as well as in the post-travel customer service arena.

Molli’s key areas of responsibility include: implementing programs to improve the performance of Adelman’s operations against goals, leading the Customer Experience Team in error reduction efforts, ensuring customer satisfaction goals are measured and achieved, implementing continuing improvement plans, serving as an escalation point for client and/or customer issues, and incorporating ad hoc coaching and ongoing team development programs.

Molli’s passion is building customer loyalty through the highest standard of service excellence, with a goal of making travel seamless for all of Adelman’s corporate clients.

Molli started her career with Adelman Travel in 2000, holding positions as Operations Manager as well as a Senior Client Success Manager. Prior to joining Adelman, Molli worked at Carlson Wagonlit Travel as a top VIP Travel Consultant and held various leadership positions.

Sarah Paola

Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications

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Sarah Paola

Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications

As the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Sarah is a visionary marketing strategist with an impressive 20+ years of experience in travel industry. She possesses a keen understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and emerging trends, positioning her role as a key driver of organizational growth. Her expertise spans brand development, digital marketing, product launches, and market analysis. She is a results-oriented professional, consistently delivering campaigns that resonate with target audiences and drive measurable business impact.

She joined Adelman Travel in 2019 and leads the marketing team across the Adelman organization, as well as supports the ongoing marketing initiatives for BCD Travel’s midmarket division. Sarah is an executive sponsor for Adelman’s internal Employee Engagement Team, a diverse group of dedicated individuals who brainstorm big ideas, take ownership of projects, tackle challenges, drive new initiatives and act as advisors for Adelman Travel.

Before joining Adelman Travel, Sarah held multiple marketing positions with corporate travel management companies, including Teplis Travel, Direct Travel and Travel Leaders Corporate, where she drove profitable growth through marketing initiatives, while advancing the overall success of the organizations.

Vanessa Morgan

Sr. Director, Corporate Sales Operations

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Vanessa Morgan

Senior Director, Corporate Sales Operations

As the Senior Director of Corporate Sales Operations, Vanessa brings a unique blend of leadership, analytical skill set, and a results-driven mindset. With a career in the travel industry spanning over 22 years, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to navigate complex business landscapes and deliver sustainable growth. As a seasoned professional with a comprehensive understanding of sales operations, process optimization, and revenue acceleration. Vanessa’s strategic insights have fueled the success of numerous high-profile projects, contributing to increased operational efficiency and revenue maximization.

Prior to joining Adelman Travel, Vanessa spent 18 years at Enterprise Holdings. She spent the first 8 years in operations, where she was responsible for the performance of many rental locations and oversaw 35 employees. While in this role, Vanessa successfully developed several employees which lead to multiple managerial promotions throughout the organization. She also successfully increased customer satisfaction scores to record breaking levels, raised revenues and grew the rental fleet. That lead to an opportunity in sales and business where she spent the remaining 10 years and achieved success with increased market share, the creation of strong customer relationships, and was a top performer in the company helping win two coveted Exceptional Achievement Awards for the region. Vanessa earned a BS degree in Business Management from State University of New York.

Dawn Arredondo Morante

Director, People & Culture

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Dawn Arredondo Morante

Director, People & Culture

Dawn Arredondo Morante is an experienced professional focused on cultivating thriving workplaces and passionate about corporate social responsibility. With 26 years at Adelman Travel overseeing human resources and payroll, Dawn has led initiatives to foster inclusive cultures, support the community and environment, drive employee engagement, and optimize talent management strategies. As the Director of People and Culture at Adelman Travel, she spearheads efforts to align organizational values with employee experiences, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best work. Dawn’s strategic insights and innovative approaches have consistently contributed to the success and growth of Adelman Travel, making her a trusted advisor and advocate for employees at all levels.