INTERVIEW: Direct Travel's Ed Adams

Ed Adams has some of his band back together, and he's trying to replicate his success with Navigant International, which after a big agency roll-up was sold in 2006 to Carlson Wagonlit Travel. He returned to the scene in 2011 when private-equity investment firm Silver Oak Services Partners bought Directravel and installed him as CEO. The firm's stated plan is to consolidate several midmarket corporate travel agencies into a $1.5 billion travel management company. Adams and his team (stacked with several other Navigant vets) already have made some acquisitions and are eyeing more. He recently spoke with The Beat's David Jonas about the roll-up plan and Direct Travel's position in the industry.