As it turns out, the management changes at Hickory Global Partners go to the top. President and COO Tom Sparico this week will leave the company__part of the InTravel unit of parent The Traina Companies__to pursue new interests. Industry veteran Chris Dane will run Hickory in a consulting role until a replacement is named.
A well-known former American Airlines managing director, Dane also has experience with travel management companies, networks and consortia. Sparico is a former Priceline exec tapped to run Hickory following its 2011 acquisition by The Traina Companies.
Sparico this week said the role was not designed to be long-term as the owners mostly needed his startup skills to rebuild Hickory. Sparico's predecessor as president in 2007 acknowledged the company had lost its "former glory." Hickory provides supplier rate programs to travel agencies.
Sparico said he is evaluating opportunities both in and outside the travel industry.