The Travel Institute names Ruecking as new president

The Travel Institute Board of Directors has appointed Taylor Ahlsmith Ruecking as president for The Travel Institute, effective Jan. 1.

Ruecking, an 11-plus-year-insider at The Travel Institute and senior leader since 2023, assumes the role after the retirement of its former president, Diane Petras, CTIE.

Gary Pollard, CTC, chair for The Travel Institute Board of Directors and president and CEO, Ambassador Tours, said: “Taylor has a proven ability to straddle strategic thinking and technical know-how to advance education for this industry.”

Pollard continued: “We took the time to get this right and the board is 100% aligned. We are incredibly enthusiastic and energized about what’s next for The Travel Institute knowing Taylor has the demonstrated results and drive to lead this incredible team and achieve a new level of relevance with our stakeholders,” Pollard asserted.

While Ruecking had been primarily “behind the scenes” previously, he has played a significant role in The Travel Institute’s industry-wide successes, Pollard said, point to Ruecking’s role in implementing an online learning management system, streamlining disparate content platforms, launching digital credentials, and broadening e-commerce capabilities to better serve students and organizations. Most recently, Ruecking also led the technological specs for the new Education Hub, the back-end automation of thousands of once-manual tasks, and other improvements for the student experience. He has also leveraged strategy, tools and analytics to elevate brand visibility, boost online engagement, and increase enrollment in support of industry success.

Commenting on his appointment, Ruecking said: “We have an enormous opportunity now to transform how we serve, and I am deeply committed to doing that by leaning into technology to expand our reach and strengthen our partnerships in new and exciting ways while remaining agile and mission-driven.”

The transition between Ruecking and Petras has been underway since early December and Ruecking is grateful, noting that: “Without Diane’s visionary leadership and guidance, neither myself nor the organization would be where we are today.”

Ruecking has also named Guida Botelho, CTIE, as vice president for The Travel Institute.