Stuart Godwin brings to LTA over thirty-five years of travel industry experience as a retail travel agency owner and travel marketing executive.

A life-long travel agency and industry advocate, Godwin grew up in the travel industry as the son of one of the original founders of Houston’s Harvey Travel.

In 1984 Godwin and ten travel agency owners co-founded Consolidated Travel Services, Inc. (CTSI), a regional travel marketing organization. Godwin served as CTSI’s president and COO from 1984 to 1999. Godwin was named Travel Trade Publications’ Travel Agent of the Year in 1998 for his lobbying efforts on behalf of travel agents. Following Vacation.com’s acquisition of CTSI, Godwin served as Vacation.com’s Senior Vice President for the Central and Western Regions between 1999 and 2006.

Entering the travel industry in 1976, John Shands spent much of his career operating a multi-branch retail travel agency in South Texas. In 1997, Shands joined the staff of CTSI as director of sales.

From 1999 to 2006, Shands served as Vacation.com’s South Central business development manager responsible for an eleven state territory. Shands has a unique ability to relate to the needs of member travel agencies, having spent many years on their side of the desk. A long-time travel agency and industry advocate, Shands currently serves as Allied Chairman for the Southwest Chapter of ASTA.

Steve Kaplan also brings over 30 years of experience to Leisure Travel Alliance and a long history of travel agency advocacy.

Kaplan served as Executive Director of the Arizona Travel Agents Association (ATAA) prior to becoming President & CEO of Crown Travel Group, a regional travel agency marketing organization associated with ATAA. During his tenure with Crown, Kaplan and Crown were frequently recognized by the supplier community for their sales achievements.

Following Vacation.com’s acquisition of Crown Travel Group, Kaplan served as Vacation.com’s Senior Vice President for the Western Region from 1999 to 2002

After six years in the United States Army, Dennis returned home, completed his degree in Finance, and went to work in banking as a Credit Analyst. Drawn to the travel industry, Dennis signed on with Leisure Travel Alliance in October of 2007 as a Business Development Manager. His responsibilities include new member recruiting, and support and retention of existing members.