Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises today announced the promotion of Tom Russell to the position of chief operating officer and managing director of the company’s Fort Lauderdale office, reporting to the president.

Russell, previously the senior vice president of product development, will now oversee the areas of revenue performance, information technology and strategic marketing.  He will continue to direct the development of the line’s new luxury expedition product.  In addition, he assumes the role of managing director of the company’s Fort Lauderdale office.

“Since Tom’s return to Silversea last October, he has already made several outstanding contributions,” said Amerigo Perasso, Silversea’s president.  “This promotion recognizes his achievements and significant role in coordinating our expansion and making Silversea stronger than ever.”

Before joining Silversea in mid-October 2007, Russell previously had been a member of Silversea’s founding executive team in 1992 and over the years played a vital role in the conceptualization and development that positioned the company to become an award-winning innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise segment.  A consummate veteran of the travel industry, he possesses wide-ranging cruise experience, having held various management positions with Sitmar, Princess, and Costa cruise lines.  In 1996, he left Silversea and Florida to resettle in Seattle, Washington, where he gained invaluable knowledge of adventure cruises and special operations in exotic destinations with such companies as Cruise West, Society Expeditions, Holland America/Windstar Cruises.

Russell earned a master’s degree in business administration from California State University at Dominguez Hills.