Jennifer DeFuria Nominated for a Financial Executive of the Year Award
BTI Travel's Jennifer DeFuria has been nominated for a 2012 Financial Executive of the Year Award. The Award is given to financial professionals in Central New York and the surrounding area for outstanding performance as corporate financial stewards.
- Syracuse, NY (1888PressRelease) June 28, 2012 - BTI Travel's Jennifer Defuria, Chief Financial Officer(CFO), has been named as a finalist for a 2012 Financial Executive of the Year Award. The winners will be revealed at an award luncheon held June 27 at the Oncenter.
The Financial Executive Awards, presented by The Bonadio Group, are given to financial professionals in Central New York and the surrounding area for outstanding performance in their roles as corporate financial stewards.
"It is just an honor to be nominated," said Jennifer. "Every candidate is deserving of an award. We all have accomplished something special."
Jennifer is nominated in the category of private companies who had yearly earnings between $26 million-$50 million.
"We had some tough times," said Lou Lemos, CEO of BTI Travel. "Jennifer was our guiding light. She was able to stabilize the ship, and we recorded one of our best financial years."
The travel industry, BTI included, was adversely affected by 9/11 and the downswing in the economy.
Business travel was hit particularly hard. Total volume declined 21 percent between 2001 and 2010. If a one-day business trip could be replaced with a phone call instead, travelers opted to do so, according to the USTA.
BTI Travel also faced a financial gamble when it relocated downtown at 124 Jefferson Street, Syracuse.
"We went into the move knowing we would face financial losses, but we felt being downtown gave us a strategic advantage," said Jennifer. "Only time will tell if we made the best decision."
"Three years ago we appointed Jennifer as CFO, "said Lou. "She was a logical choice. She brings a wealth of experience and is calculated in her decisions."
Jennifer, a graduate of Lemoyne College, has faced similar challenges in other professional roles. Her education in accounting from Lemoyne gave her the knowledge and confidence to take on these challenges. Her success can be attributed to the experiences she gained keeping books for mom-and-pop businesses and a medical IME company, where she learned the complexity of business and received hands-on training in accounting and banking.
"Change is always difficult, especially with our veteran staff," said Jennifer. "Their longevity and experience are unparalleled and an asset, but the industry requires change and often rapidly. This turned out to be a challenge for BTI Travel. To turn around the company, we needed to be diligent and make decisive, conservative decisions. It was a collective effort. I wouldn't be nominated if it wasn't for the hard work of the entire BTI Travel family."
BTI The Travel Consultants is an independent travel management company, since 1988, offering our customers the "best of both worlds," a high touch service with the technology, buying power and global reach through our affiliated travel partners. Located in Syracuse, New York, BTI offer a full-service operation with a team of Corporate Travel Consultants, an International Rate department, Groups & Meetings Department and Vacation Travel Department.
For more information on BTI The Travel Consultants, a premiere independent travel management Company, visit www.Btitravel.com, ( @ ) btitravel or call 800.472.7447.
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam