Meet our talented and eminently experienced executive team and see why MKI Travel & Conference Management is considered best in class.

Ron Greenwood, President
Ron is a seasoned veteran in the travel industry with a stellar track record among Ottawa’s most influential businesspeople. Beginning in the 1970s, Ron single-handedly grew the five-agency Algonquin Travel chain to more than 70 franchises. More recently, he negotiated the sale of Algonquin Travel Corporation to the North American Leisure Group, a subsidiary of Airtours PLC. Then he used his considerable expertise in franchising and business finance to merge an Algonquin Travel franchise with MKI Travel & Conference Management and five other established travel agencies in Ottawa. Ron has always used his considerable experience to help shape client focused organizations that deliver the best possible results.

Chris Greenwood, Vice President
Chris assisted company President Ron Greenwood with the amalgamation of the seven travel management companies now known as MKI Travel & Conference Management. A key player at MKI, Chris jumped into the travel industry in the 1990s when he developed a customer-focused national travel referral and training program for Algonquin Travel. His success with the program led to his appointment as Franchise Support Representative for Algonquin, where he helped franchise owners grow successful, lucrative businesses.

With a sound understanding of retail business, Chris soon joined the company’s Franchise Sales Department, identifying viable acquisition targets and negotiating the purchase of travel companies to merge with new or existing franchises. With over 20 years experience in the service industry, Chris now works diligently to develop and implement processes that deliver or enhance the high level of service our clients expect. Always focused on the needs of our travelers and their respective organizations, Chris and our Operations Team work diligently to drive innovation in the travel industry to ensure that our clients receive the best value for their money.

Mikael Greenwood, Vice President
Mikael brings to MKI, business expertise in marketing and account management. Mikael joined MKI Travel & Conference Management in 2003, quickly proving himself by taking on roles in project management, account management, and sales. Mikael’s success led to his appointment as Vice President, and now he oversees aspects of account management and client relations for MKI, ensuring that our clients are delivered a well rounded program that addresses all of their needs. He is also the primary account manager for MKI’s international accounts and many of the company’s corporate accounts.

Jean Paul Varnaitis, Vice President

Jean Paul began his career in the travel industry in 1981 with Wardair Canada in Vancouver. With the merger with Canadian Airlines he relocated to Ottawa in 1991 and held the position of Director of Government Sales.  In 1999 pursuant to Air Canada’s acquisition of Canadian Airlines, he assumed responsibility for Air Canada’s Corporate Sales Division for Eastern Canada while maintaining his client relationship role with the Federal Government, the Department of National Defence and the National Amateur Sports Account base.

Since joining MKI in 2003, he has been responsible for procuring and managing some of the highest profile travel events in Canada, such as the Canada Games in Regina & Whitehorse, the FIFA Soccer Under 20 Tournament , Paralympics, Dedication of the Vimy Monument and many other key international events with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of National Defence.  As Vice President, in addition to business development responsibilities, Jean Paul leads our supplier negotiations and relationships, manages our Events Division and focuses on Human Resources.

Kelly-Ann McClymont, Controller
Kelly joined MKI with over 15 years experience working with small to mid-sized, private and family owned, owner present and client driven firms. She has exceptional knowledge of privately held business with the majority of her career being committed to sales, retail and service industry practices in multiple branch environments. Her versatile experience also extends to Government and high tech giving her an intimate understanding of a wide range of industries. She is well noted for developing and implementing accurate, organized and compliant accounting controls and policies. Equally appreciated is her talent to improve working capital through effectively calculated controls of cash flow and monitoring of capital assets and expenditures. A proficient and strong manager, she is also a very enthusiastic team leader. As a professional member and welcomed addition of MKI’s senior management team, Kelly leads the company’s accounting, internal controls, planning, financial and management reporting activities.