Meet the Team
CHARTERS, MEETINGS & INCENTIVES – SALES
Neil Brodie, VP Experiences at Sea, Charters, Meetings, & Incentives and Events
Neil Brodie is the Vice President of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) Experiences at Sea, Charters, Meetings and Incentives (CM&I), and Events. In this role, he is responsible for the overall leadership of events, groups, and charter sales and operations for the 32-ship portfolio of NCLH vessels, which includes those of Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises, as well as Sixthman, a wholly owned subsidiary of NCL.
Prior to joining NCLH, Brodie worked in a variety of roles where he was responsible for the sales and operations for both land-based and cruise companies. In 2019, he joined NCLH as a Sales Manager before being promoted to Director and Senior Director, and now Vice President, in less than five years within the CM&I division. Under his leadership at NCLH, the Company expanded the variety of events hosted on board including for the first time partnering with the Rugby World Cup and NurseCon.
Brodie received his B.A. in Management and Marketing from the University of Miami and his M.B.A. in Management from Nova Southeastern University. Brodie resides in Miami, Fla. with his wife and child.
Tom Dougher, Senior Sales Manager
Tom is the Senior Corporate Sales Manager of the Norwegian Cruise Holdings Charters, Meetings, and Incentives Team. He is responsible for business development of corporate events, incentive groups and full-ship charters for the East Region and Mexico for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Based in Atlanta, Tom brings 20+ years of Cruise Industry experience to the team and is a Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP).
Daniel McConnell, Senior Sales Manager
Dan is the Senior Corporate Sales Manager responsible for business development for meeting and event, incentive group and full-ship charter programs in the Central and Western regions of both the United States and Canadian provinces for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Dan brings over 20 years of cruise industry experience to the team. Since 2013 he has focused on the Charters, Meetings & Incentive sector, developing opportunities across multiple industries and partnerships. Dan is based in Minneapolis and has been a long-time volunteer to organizations within the incentive industry earning CITP and CPIM industry certifications as well as an MBA.
Dorothea Pedrosa, Senior Sales Manager
Based in Miami, Dorothea is the Senior Corporate Sales Manager of the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Charters, Meetings, and Incentives Team. She is responsible for the business development of corporate events, incentive groups, and full-ship charters internationally for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Dorothea is a high-performing, results-driven, strategic, and customer-centric passionate professional who thrives on solid relationships at all levels. With seven years of experience in the cruising industry, she looks forward to helping clients create the most immersive and unique events according to their needs.
Jose Lopez, Sales Specialist, East & International
With over 19 years of experience in various positions at NCLH, Jose joined the Charters, Meetings & Incentives team in 2018 and works with Tom Dougher on North American eastern region business and with Dorothea on the International market. He started at NCLH as a reservations agent and since then has gained valuable knowledge with roles in Passenger Services, International Reservations, Casino & Trade Programs, and Strategic Accounts for the North America Sales team. Born and raised in Brazil with Cuban parents, Jose is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese and uses his language skills and attention to detail to continue to provide exceptional service to his clients.
Fabian Obeso, Sales Specialist, Mid-West & West
Born and raised out of Miami, FL, Fabian brings over 12 years of experience in the Cruising industry. He started with Oceania Cruises in 2011 as International Sales Coordinator and soon after he acquired the new brand of Regent Seven Seas, was promoted to Account Executive of Intl Sales eventually also acquiring NCL and selling all three brands under NCLH. He transitioned to CM&I from 2016 – 2019 as a Sales Specialist. He then took on a Sales Operations and Support roll for two years and is excited to be back with the CM&I team as Sales Specialist for the West.
Violeta Avila, Marketing Manager, Charters, Meetings, and Incentives
Violeta is the Marketing Manager for the NCLH Charters, Meetings, and Incentives department. With a Master's degree in Digital Marketing and over 10 years of experience, Violeta specializes in developing traditional and digital strategies that engage, connect, create brand awareness, and generate leads. She has worked in different marketing and branding areas, including product launching, event planning, brand awareness, marketing strategizing, campaigning, budgeting, and advertising for nationwide products and services. Violeta's passion is to generate change and to have a positive impact on those around her.
CHARTERS, MEETINGS & INCENTIVES – OPERATIONS
Sarah Rio, VP, Charter Operations
Sarah Rio began her freelance career as a Theatre and TV Costumier & Wardrobe Manager in her hometown of Manchester, England, followed by a touring career which took her as far afield as Melbourne, Australia and onboard Norwegian cruise ships in the Caribbean. This launched her (literally…) into her second career in Hotel Operations gaining unparalleled experience in the cruise line industry, establishing herself as a respected advocate for the guest experience. Currently working as Vice President of Operations for Sixthman and Norwegian’s CM&I division, Sarah is widely known for her leadership, mentoring, and process improvement expertise. While work continues to take her around the world, Sarah is happy to call Atlanta, Georgia home, where she relaxes by tending to her ‘English garden,’ and looking after a menagerie of rescued cats and dogs, with her husband Bob.
Cristina Morata Martin, Director, Charter Operations
Cristina is based in Miami and brings over 30 years of cruise experience to the team. Having previously worked for Cunard, Seabourn, Carnival and Dolphin Cruise Lines, her experience provides an extensive and broad outlook on group and charter operations. She has had the opportunity to hold various positions in Corporate Incentive Sales, Charter Operations, Groups, Revenue Management and ship side. Cristina joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in 2005 and has provided support in Guest Services overseeing the Latitudes, Special Events and the Concierge Desk teams. She also joined the Charter, Meetings and Incentive Team holding positions in Charter Operations and Corporate Sales. Cristina is fluent in both English and Spanish. Born in Barcelona, her family later came to the United States where she studied Aviation and Business Management following her father’s footsteps.
Brett Draper, Senior Manager, Charter Operations
Brett began his career in the cruise industry with Holland America Line. After spending five years at sea, he joined Norwegian Cruise Line in 2012. He started in the Charter, Meeting and Incentive department as a sales specialist working with our travel partners. Within a year, Brett was promoted to Charter Services Manager and held that position for three years. Brett's experience in sales and operations has enabled him to hold various positions across all levels of cruising including with expedition and luxury cruise lines. He brings a wealth of knowledge in onboard operations, charter execution and sales. Brett enjoys the details and problem-solving intricacies involved in delivering a successful charter.
Rolando Mendoza, Manager, Charter Services
Based in Miami, Florida, Rolando started his career with Norwegian Cruise Line in 1998. During his 9-year tenure, he held various positions within Reservations, Land Programs, Inside Sales and then Trade Programs, where he managed multiple programs ranging from Presidents and Platinum Club Annual Meetings, trade-shows, conventions, and annual sales meetings. Most recently he held positions with International Cruise and Excursions as an Account Manager for Latin America and Manager of Marketing Communications with Raintree Resorts International. With extensive experience in the cruise and hospitality industry, Rolando has developed incredibly strong relationships with a focus on establishing brand loyalty and repeat business. He is passionate about his work, enjoys challenges, and focuses on the qualities each member brings to the team.