Rob Huffman, a 16-year cruise industry veteran, has been named vice president of sales – southeastern region for Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator.

In his new role, Huffman oversees a team of 15 business development managers in nine southeastern U.S. states who provide sales and marketing assistance and training opportunities to thousands of travel agents within the region.

Huffman’s Carnival career began in 1993, serving as business development manager for Oklahoma and Kansas. In 1995, he repositioned to South Carolina where he was responsible for sales and marketing efforts in that territory as a business development director.

Prior to joining Carnival, Huffman served as the manager of Uniglobe H&H Travel in Memphis, Tenn., for five years. Based in Charlotte, N.C., Huffman attended the University of Tennessee and twice served as supplier representative on the board of directors of Travel Agents of the Carolinas, comprised of top travel agents in the region.

“Rob is the ideal candidate for this position, possessing a well-rounded sales background with experience in a variety of areas of the cruise industry, including the past 16 years working with our valued travel agent partners in developing new business opportunities,” said Joni Rein, Carnival’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Rob’s professionalism and enthusiasm, as well as his commitment to our travel partners, are tremendous assets to our company,” she added.

Huffman is also a member of Carnival’s CareTeam, which responds to guest and crew emergencies, primarily medical-related situations, at various locations throughout the company’s cruising regions.