Changes in Leadership: The ALTOUR Shakeup
You know, in the travel world, shifts in leadership can be quite the rollercoaster ride. We're talking about some pretty big shoes to fill over at ALTOUR, with Gabe Rizzi stepping back after a decade of driving the company's dynamic evolution. He’s not entirely out of the picture, though. Rizzi’s going to hang around as a Senior Advisor, but the day-to-day reigns are being handed over to Brian Mogler, a guy who's been around the travel block a few times.
Rizzi’s not just walking away; he’s transitioning to spend more family time. After 10 years of turning ALTOUR into a unified global biz, who can blame the guy for wanting to step back? What often gets missed in the headlines is how Rizzi championed sustainability and AI adoption at ALTOUR - forward-thinking moves that put the company in Business Travel News' spotlight as one of their 25 Most Influential People in business travel in 2025.
Building a Global Powerhouse
Under the man's leadership, Internova shored up its corporate travel wings under ALTOUR’s brand, creating a massive global network that brought together business travel with meetings and events. That’s not just smart business - it’s the kind of aggressive strategizing that keeps a company at the top.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to lead ALTOUR over the past decade,” Rizzi reflected, a reminder that the best leaders value their teams more than their own accolades.
Rizzi built something special, and you gotta respect a leader who sees the bigger picture. ALTOUR, with its presence in over 90 countries, didn’t just recruit international offices—they structured a system that seamlessly connects clients to their travel needs. Smarter, faster, more personalized—those aren’t just buzzwords at ALTOUR, but the life blood of company operations.
Mogler Onboard: What’s Next?
ALTOUR’s new guy, Brian Mogler, isn’t a greenhorn. He rolls in with over 35 years of travel sector experience. From his recent stint as Executive VP at CWT to his years at American Express and United Airlines, Mogler’s portfolio reads like a seasoned novel in corporate travel lore. He knows the landscape, and more importantly, understands the value of partnerships and networks in an industry that thrives on connections.
Sustaining Growth in a Competitive Market
J.D. O'Hara, Internova’s CEO, seems pretty chuffed about the changeover, emphasizing Mogler’s knack for international travel dynamics. ALTOUR hasn’t been napping these last few years, and Mogler seems poised to steer that ship into its next chapter, just as Rizzi laid the groundwork for it. The groundwork’s solid, and it's both a blessing and a challenge for the next leader to keep the momentum going.
The pressure’s on for Mogler to not just maintain, but innovate further. With markets as volatile as they are and the constant evolution of travel post-pandemic, sustaining ALTOUR’s growth while keeping an edge is no small feat. The foundation’s laid, though, and with Rizzi still offering his seasoned advice, Mogler’s path doesn’t seem too dimly lit.
A Seamless Transition or the Calm Before the Storm?
There’s a buzz around the word ‘transition,’ and here it feels more like a torch passing than a complete overhaul. Rizzi and Mogler working side by side to ensure employees, clients, and partners feel the change isn’t only strategic—it's insurance that nothing falls through the cracks. This collaborative and thoughtful approach shows an understanding that in business, relationships matter as much as any bottom line.
“Brian brings exceptional experience, strong industry relationships and a deep understanding of global corporate travel,” O'Hara remarked, echoing the sentiment that ALTOUR’s next chapter is one worth watching.
Whatever happens next, what we’re seeing here isn’t just a handover; it’s a baton pass in a race that has no easy laps. ALTOUR sits with the Internova Travel Group, a titan in travel services managing over 100,000 travel advisors worldwide, so there’s no room for missteps.
This change at the helm is packed with potential, and for the investors with keen eyes on the players in the travel industry, it’s something to keep an eye on. ALTOUR's strategies remain unchanged, banking on the sturdy structure Rizzi built while inviting fresh leadership into the fold.
