LEADERSHIP TEAM
API is a team of professionals with extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of crew travel, hotel and ground transportation industries. We are led by a team of seasoned executives with backgrounds throughout the travel, airline and automotive industries.
Tony's Bio
Tony Kamel is the Chairman of API. It has been Tony’s innovative foresight that spurred the growth of the company from a small enterprise serving a few airlines at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, in 1984 to a full service Travel Management Company. API currently serves over eighty-five major air transportation companies on a global basis.
Tony started his career in the hotel industry after completing his formal education in Paris, France. His working experience at Trust House Forte, Sheraton and Marriott Hotels kindled his passion for customer service. Further, his belief in true professionalism, honesty and integrity set the foundation for his lofty goals, which to this day, is the hallmark and culture of the company he oversees. Tony’s inventive ideas and its successful execution have positioned him a pioneer in this very specialized international market.
In the process of realizing his vision, Tony committed API to serve its customers in managing their crew accommodations worldwide, by harnessing the power of sophisticated technology, backed by an organization comprising of highly experienced and skilled professionals. In turn, this has established API the global leader in Airline Crew Accommodation services arena.
Fred's Bio
Fred is a highly esteemed executive in the hospitality and airline industries, serving as the Vice Chairman of API and a member of the Board of Directors. With over 30 years of experience at API, Fred has been a pivotal contributor to the company's growth and success.
Throughout his career, Fred has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in hotel management and airline operations. He has spearheaded virtually every aspect of API's operations, leveraging his expertise to shape the company's strategy and execution. Fred's passion for innovation, creativity, and personal connections is evident throughout API's culture, influencing everything from its technology platforms to its client and customer engagement.
As a member of API's Board of Directors, Fred plays a critical role in shaping the organization's long-term strategy and investments. He is constantly seeking out new opportunities and markets for growth, ensuring that API remains a leader in both traditional and emerging industries. Fred's extensive knowledge and visionary leadership continue to inspire and drive API's success in the years to come.
Rich's Bio
As the CEO of API, Rich is responsible for API’s strategy, culture and day to day operations. Rich’s mission is to develop and execute that company strategy and lead the growth of the company into the future.
Rich is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur and co-founded Dealertrack Technologies in late 2000. Most recently at Dealertrack, Rich was CIO, Executive Vice President of Technology and Service Solutions. Prior to that Rich served various roles at Dealertrack until, as a public company, it was acquired by Cox Automotive in late 2015 for approximately $4.5 billion.
From 1996 to 2001, Mr. McLeer was Senior Vice President and National Product Director for the Bank of America Auto Group, and previously held a variety of marketing, sales and business development positions at Bank of America. Prior to that, Mr. McLeer worked at Trans Union Corporation from 1993 to 1996. Other previous experience includes two years serving as controller of Ellesse, U.S.A., a division of Reebok, and four years in public accounting at Ernst & Young. Mr. McLeer holds a BS in Accounting from Hofstra University and is a CPA.
Ray's Bio
Raymond D’Aponte is the President & Chief Financial Officer of API, leading all areas of API’s accounting and financial activities. Ray’s mission is to position the accounting and finance team to go beyond delivering numbers and enable the team to drive corporate strategy and play a vital role in ensuring value creation over time.
Prior to API, Ray served as the CFO for Planet Payment, Inc., a leading provider of international and multi-currency processing. Prior to that Ray served as Planet Payments Senior Vice President, Finance and Vice President, Finance. Ray played a key role in taking Planet Payment from an AIM listed company to a NASDAQ listed company before being acquired in late 2017 by Fintrax Group.
From March 2005 to April 2011, Ray served as Senior Director of Corporate Accounting and Finance of DealerTrack Holdings Inc., an automotive retail software solution provider. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant in the audit practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Ray holds a B.A. in Accounting from Dowling College.
Ramzi's Bio
As Chief Commercial Officer of API, Ramzi is responsible for growth related activities of the company within the verticals of aviation, rail, and cruise lines, as well as other, smaller divisions. Ramzi’s organization includes a team that possesses knowledge and expertise to allow API to elevate their client focus, engage the market, and deliver exceptional value in a unique and specialized area of the crew accommodation industries we serve.
Ramzi’s vision is to promote API’s solutions and value proposition of making sure the crew layover experience is safe, efficient, and uneventful and to maintain API’s position as the leader in world-wide crew accommodations management.
Ramzi joined API in 1999 with a strong background in airport operations. In 2018, Ramzi transitioned into a role of Chief Commercial Officer where he focuses on the organizational growth and negotiating enterprise agreements that promote long-term value for API and its Clients.
Ramzi is a graduate of Cleveland State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.
Donna's Bio
As Chief Human Resources Officer & General Counsel, Donna is responsible for managing API’s talent and legal functions. In this dual role, Donna partners with her business colleagues to execute the company strategy and achieve business objectives. She leverages her exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build strong relationships and negotiate favorable outcomes. She is especially passionate about collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve desired results.
Prior to joining API, Donna was Associate General Counsel for Dealertrack Technologies for thirteen years. In that role, Donna negotiated contracts with the company’s largest customers and strategic partners, and counseled human resources across all department functions.
After earning her JD from Harvard Law School, Donna received her initial training at Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, where she worked for two years as a corporate associate. Donna also holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Joe's Bio
As the Chief Technology Officer at API, Joe holds the responsibility for overseeing the design, development, and support of API's industry-leading applications. This includes managing their integration with client systems, as well as handling internal IT operations and infrastructure.
Joe has extensive experience in senior technology leadership across various industries, including logistics, clinical trials, data protection, and network equipment. His roles have included software development, support, professional services, and IT infrastructure management. He has been instrumental in establishing robust engineering organizations that align with business requirements, fostering the creation and expansion of multinational teams focused on delivering industry-leading applications.
Joe is focused on delivering resilient, scalable, high-quality applications by establishing mature processes, innovative architectures, and delivering superior quality applications.
Before joining API, Joe held key technology leadership positions at distinguished companies. Notably, he served at Edetek, a premier provider of clinical data management solutions; Choice Logistics, a global end-to-end supply chain services provider; Medidata, an industry leader in unified clinical trial platforms; Syncsort (now Precisely), a leader in data integrity; and Nortel Networks, a worldwide leader in computer networking and telecommunications. Joe's professional journey began as a software developer and test engineer in Toronto.
Joe earned an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in electronics and computing, from Western University in London, Canada. He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto.