David R. Harris
Owner/President
Orion Travelinx/Charrisma Travel Group
Business Background
- Following a B.A. in Mathematics (York University 1984), David commenced full time work in his parents franchise travel agency business situated in the Bloor West Village business development area of Toronto.
- Initial areas of responsibility included Corporate Travel Sales which eventually became travel consulting.
- Purchased family business in 1995 and until 2005 grew business primarily through 4 agency acquisitions.
- Consolidated multiple agency operations in 2006 to a single Burlington office location.
Current
- 2008 - Elected to Canadian Advisory Board for Ensemble Travel– one of 6 representatives for over 300 Canadian Travel Agency, member locations. Ensemble also has some 350 Agency locations in the U.S.
- David remains extremely focused and dedicated to the continued growth and positive reputation of this travel agency business and at each of his quarterly TAMS (Travel Agency Management Systems) meetings he meets with 20 like-minded North American agency owners to pour over respective financial data and to discuss the many important issues of running a successful business.
- Unwavering on issues of integrity and professionalism.
Interests
- David is an avid golfer, squash player and skier who also enjoys cottaging, boating, gardening and of course travelling.
- Along with his many business and family responsibilities, for the past 3 years David has trained for and volunteered as a Rep Basketball Assistant Coach/Team manager for his daughter's York Region team. This commitment usually entails from 300 to 400 hours of effort each season and allows David to claim he has 10-12 teenage daughters for 7 months of each year….yikes!
- David is also Chairman of the residents association of his beloved country setting near Bond Head, Ontario.
Travel Experience
- Most of Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Europe + cruises.
Favourite Travel Destination(s)
- Scottsdale and most any place that has a nice golf course (and of course shopping for Nancy and Lauren).
Most appreciative for:
- The gift of INCREDIBLE staff and colleagues!
- Good health!!
- The support and love of a wonderful family!!!