He takes over the duties of Peter Henze, President & CEO since 1972. Henze will continue actively as Chairman and owner of the private company. 

Henze said Filippi�s appointment takes place at a time when Creative Leisure, travel agencies, and the tour industry are experiencing great challenges, as well as tremendous new opportunities to unite travelers and quality travel partners with safe, rewarding vacation experiences. 

"Fred understands the importance of travel agency distribution and the partnership role Creative Leisure continues delivering every day to the agency network," Henze said. 

In his new position, Filippi will preside over a company of 50 employees that specializes in designing personalized, customized luxury vacations for families, corporate executives and public figures. 

He will reinforce the strong ties Creative Leisure International has forged with travel agents, the airline and car rental industries, and villa owners in Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Britain. 

�I'm thrilled to be part of this great Creative Leisure team.� Filippi said.  �Within the industry, the company�s reputation for quality and service is unmatched.�

He says Creative Leisure is planning more expansion.  �We plan to introduce new products that will offer unique vacation options, and even more revenue opportunities for travel agents,� Filippi said. 

Filippi joined Creative Leisure International in early 2001 as Managing Director, where he helped launch the company�s Premiere Partners Division, which provides residence club members and private villa owners with exclusive, unique travel opportunities. 

He has more than 22 years experience in the travel industry.  Before joining Creative Leisure International, he held various positions at Alamo Rent A Car/ANC Rental Corporation, including Division Vice President-Sales, and Vice President-Commercial Marketing and Sales.  ANC is the parent company of both Alamo and National Car Rental.