Former Co-Chairman and Owner Thomas Cook Travel USA – Fisher Island, Florida
Linda Paresky Former Co-Chairman and Owner Thomas Cook Travel USA Fisher Island, Florida A pioneer in the industry, Linda Paresky has profoundly impacted the business of travel. In 1965 she co-founded Crimson Travel in Cambridge, Massachusetts and later was co-chairman and owner of Thomas Cook Travel USA, the third largest travel agency in the country. Understanding the value of a skilled industry workforce, she founded the Travel Education Center, a nationally accredited travel school that launched the careers of thousands of travel professionals. A noted industry columnist and advocate, Ms. Paresky served on many travel boards including the Research Issues Task Force of the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism, the Academy of Travel and Tourism and the Travel Business Roundtable. Working Woman Magazine and the National Foundation of Women Business Owners named her one of the “Top 50 Women Business Owners”. From her roots as a graduate of a women’s college, she has been deeply committed to the notion of women helping other women. She is chair of the board of trustees of Simmons College in Boston; and chair emerita of the Committee of 200 Foundation, an organization devoted to mentoring and supporting the next generation of women business leaders. She is a past chapter president of the International Women’s Forum; served as a director of the Thyroid Foundation of America; and served on the Investment and Services Policy Advisory Committee (INSPAC) to the U.S. Trade Commissioner. She was a keynote speaker and national judge for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur-of-the-Year Award. Ms. Paresky holds a bachelor’s degree from Simmons College, a master’s degree from Harvard University, a Ph.D. from Boston College, and is also the recipient of two honorary degrees.
