Cruise industry veteran Larry Pimentel has been named cruise executive in residence at Florida International University in Miami, according to Travel Weekly.
Pimentel will lead FIU’s newly created cruise executive advisory board, which brings together leaders representing mainstream, luxury, hotel-branded and small-ship exploration cruising. The group includes executives from Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Aman at Sea, Windstar and Ponant Expeditions.
His appointment is intended to help align the university’s cruise-related academic curriculum with the needs of the business world. Pimentel’s career spans more than three decades and includes roles at Cunard, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Azamara and, most recently, Four Seasons Yachts.
Before entering the travel business, Pimentel worked as a high school teacher and department head. He told Seatrade Cruise News that FIU and Miami offer a natural setting for a cruise knowledge center focused on research, talent development and industry white papers.
Pimentel said the effort is intended as an open-source resource and could create a cruise-focused center built with industry participation.
