Seattle, Windstar Cruises has named a new vice president of human resources: Toby Skey. Skey brings more than 20 years of experience in increasing corporate performance through finding and developing talent, and has proven abilities as a strategic business partner and expert team builder. Windstar has approximately 140 employees in its downtown Seattle headquarters and approximately 1,200 fleet employees worldwide.
Skey’s hiring comes at a pivotal moment for the small ship cruise company, which has embarked on the most complex and comprehensive small ship lengthening, engine replacement, and renovation project in cruising. Its $250 Million Star Plus Initiative involves half of the Windstar fleet being cut in half to allow the installation of a new section of ship that will lengthen each vessel approximately 25 meters. The total capacity of the three “new” expanded ships will be 312 guests each, and additional staff will be hired in order to maintain the line’s impressive 1.5 to 1 guest to service staff ratio. Meaning Skey will be tasked with ensuring the biggest investment and expansion in Windstar Cruises’ history also includes bringing more of the best and brightest staff in the industry to complete the project.
Skey was most recently the director of human resources at commercial vehicle manufacturing giant PACCAR Inc., based in Bellevue, Washington, and previously worked as managing director for human resources operations, among other positions, for Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, the fifth largest American airline.
“Toby has led similar workforces in his previous companies that were diverse, global, and operating 24 hours a day/seven days a week, just like we are in the cruise industry,” said Windstar President John Delaney. “He understands what it takes to appropriately staff, train, and maintain employees across a variety of operating regions while still inspiring the best in customer service.”
Skey holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Plymouth (England), as well as an executive MBA from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business.
To learn more about authentic small ship cruising with Windstar or to book a cruise, contact a travel advisor or Windstar Cruises by phone at 1-800-258-7245, or visitwww.windstarcruises.com.
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