Atlas Adds Three Experienced Cruise Professionals to Shoreside Management Team

Atlas Ocean Voyages, a specialist in intimate yachting expeditions to remote destinations and Europe’s most sought-after ports, is expanding its team with shoreside management that brings a wealth of luxury cruise industry experience, it has been announced by James A. Rodriguez, the line’s president and CEO.

The newest Atlas executives are Cathy Kusuma, VP of sales operations; Gair O’Neill, senior director of guest relations and special services; and Jason O’Keefe, director of corporate communications and development.

“I am always on the lookout for people who are detail-oriented, with keen problem-solving skills,” Rodriguez added. “We are proud to welcome Cathy, Gair, and Jason to the growing Atlas Ocean Voyages family.”

Cathy Kusuma

Cathy Kusuma, who reports to Rodriguez, returns to Atlas in a new role; she first joined the company in 2020 as a regional sales director. In the interim, Kusuma was VP of business development for a finance company. She brings over 25 years of cruise experience to her new post. Most recently, she was director of field sales for Seabourn and Holland America Line and senior director of strategic partnerships for Cruise Planners before that. Previously, she hired, trained, and managed shipboard staff to support the shopping program for 14 different cruise lines. Kusuma began her cruise career working on ships in entertainment and shore excursion roles. In her new role, she will manage travel advisor training programs and virtual and in-person training events and drive additional revenue streams to the company through sales account management.

Gair O’Neill

A 28-year cruise industry veteran, Gair O’Neill’s expertise in customer service and guest relations will prove to be a great asset to Atlas as part of the brand’s ongoing effort to deliver exemplary guest relations prior to embarkation, onboard its intimate expedition yachts, and after the voyage. He joins the company after 23 years as senior director of guest relations and risk management for Regent Seven Seas Cruises/Oceania Cruises. O’Neill previously held guest relations posts for Royal Caribbean International/Celebrity Cruises. He earned his master’s from the University of Florida and an undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Jason O’Keefe

Jason O’Keefe brings 20-plus years of travel industry experience to Atlas. In his new role, he will lead corporate communications and the development of onboard programs, media partnerships, and strategic projects. Most recently, senior marketing director at American Queen Voyages, O’Keefe was with Regent Seven Seas Cruises for more than 10 years, specializing in loyalty, trade marketing, and guest experience. Previously, he was with Silversea Cruises, World Travel Holdings, and Omega World Travel in both shipboard and land-based sales roles after beginning his career as a travel advisor in the Midwest.

For information and reservations, call a travel advisor or 1.844.44.ATLAS or visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. You can also follow Atlas on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.com/AtlasOceanVoyages or www.instagram.com/AtlasOceanVoyages.