Operating for the future. (Tours & Packages).(travel industry executives)(Statistical Data Included)

Travel Agent, April, 2002 by Foster, Camie; Medina, Kerry; Michels, Jennifer; Schiller, Kristan

Richard Basen

The Mark Travel Corporation

Richard Basen, 35, began his career at The Mark Travel Corporation in Milwaukee as an associate marketing manager with Piedmont Airlines Vacations handling pricing, budgeting and advertising. In 1989, after Southwest Airlines tapped Mark Travel to manage, operate and market Southwest Airlines Vacations, Basen was promoted to product manager for the brand. Four years later, he was named director of marketing, then was promoted to vice president of sales and marketing. Basen believes that Southwest Airlines Vacations has emerged with better business practices in the aftermath of Sept. 11. "We've put a greater emphasis on return on investment due to Sept. 11, and we maintain close relationships with key travel...