Hickory Global Partners Team

Mark Miller

VP, Industry Relations

When it comes to negotiating the most beneficial agreements with our suppliers to provide our members with the best opportunities available, and then stewarding those relationship to their fullest potential, Mark Miller is our go-to guy.  With a career spanning over 30 years, Mark’s skillset is in customer relationship management, contract structuring and negotiations, strategic planning, corporate finance, business process operations improvement and team leadership. His travel experience prior to joining Hickory Global Partners is deep and diverse, including key operational leadership roles directing critical turnaround and growth initiatives.

Annette Bonavito

Director, Hotel and Supplier Relations

Bringing more than a quarter of a century of travel industry experience, and our longest tenured staff member, where would our Hotel Program be without Annette? Her primary responsibilities, and where she really excels, is in leading the operations, customer relationship development, product implementation, analytics and overall advancement of the Hickory Global Partners Hotel Program. Annette Bonavito’s formal training includes attending college and advanced courses in Travel Industry Management.

Christopher C. Lieber

Director, Finance and Data Management

Every solid company needs a great numbers cruncher; someone who ensures it has a healthy bottomline. For Hickory Global Partners, that’s Chris Lieber. With over 15 years of experience, Chris not only leads all accounts receivable and finance efforts, he also provides valuable data analysis for the company’s member agencies and suppliers. Additionally, he focuses intensely on preparing hotel data for travel agency participants on our highly successful Revenue Share Program.  Chris holds a B.B.A. from Rochester Institute of Technology and an MBA from Western Governors University.

Rick Richardson

Director of Global Marketing & Growth

Rick is a seasoned marketing communications professional with a knack for turning big ideas into measurable results. With experience spanning high-tech, real estate, civil engineering, digital media, and the travel industry, Rick has led branding, communications, and growth initiatives for global organizations including Hickory Global Partners, Charter Schools USA, and Gibson Guitar’s Stanton Group. He thrives at the intersection of strategy and creativity, managing everything from supplier relations and PR to digital campaigns, events, and brand partnerships.

Known for his high energy and hands-on style, Rick combines deep marketing expertise with technical savvy in platforms from Adobe Creative Suite to Salesforce and HubSpot. Outside the office, he’s just as passionate—whether it’s fishing, golfing, sailing, or volunteering in his community. Rick’s trademark? Delivering smart, forward-thinking solutions with a smile and a drive that inspires teams to win. Rick has a BS in Business from Salem State University and is originally from Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Frank Pratas 

Director of Global Call Center Operations For Hickory Solutions365

Frank Pratas serves as the Director of Global Call Center Operations at Hickory Solutions365, where he oversees strategic operations. With extensive experience in call center management, customer experience strategy, and process optimization, Frank has built a reputation for developing high-performing teams and implementing scalable solutions that enhance both operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

A proven leader in customer service excellence, Frank is passionate about empowering teams, streamlining workflows, and leveraging data-driven insights to continuously improve performance. His leadership approach combines strategic vision with a people-first mindset, ensuring that every customer interaction reflects the company’s commitment to quality and care.

Gessika A. Schickowski 

Marketing Specialist - Hotel and Supplier Marketing

Gessika A Schickowski is a dedicated and highly organized professional with a strong background in administrative support, relationship management, and specialized coordination across diverse industries, including hospitality, real estate, and healthcare. Equipped with robust skills in Digital Marketing, Event Planning, Customer Relationship Management, Project Management, Market Research, and acting as a Public Notary and Transaction Coordinator, Gessika excels at driving operational efficiency and supporting organizational objectives.

Known for excellent communication, a willingness to learn, and strong problem-solving abilities, Gessika has successfully managed complex data and client relationships, executed marketing support initiatives, and provided comprehensive administrative and coordination services to senior executives and multi-functional teams. Gessika is poised to contribute to team success and advance organizational goals with dedication and enthusiasm.

Joel Minguela

Inside Sales and Membership Experience Representative

Joel comes to Hickory Global Partners with an impressive background in corporate travel, along with other various positions that make him an excellent addition to the team. Joel serves as an Inside Sales and Member Experience Agent at Hickory Global Partners. He graduated from Full Sail University with a degree in Internet Marketing and brings a strong background in corporate travel and client relations. In his previous role as a Corporate Travel Coordinator, Joel worked closely with corporate clients to understand their travel needs, preferences, and budgets, providing personalized and efficient travel solutions.

Joel is passionate about helping others, building meaningful relationships, and creating positive experiences in every interaction. Outside of work, he enjoys managing his stock and crypto portfolio, watching and playing sports, and engaging in friendly fantasy football competition. A lifelong sports fan, he grew up playing baseball and basketball. Joel also enjoys learning new languages

Al Mazzola

Inside Sales and Membership Experience Representative

Al comes to Hickory Global Partners with an impressive background in corporate travel, along with various other positions that make him an excellent addition to the team.

With over 40 years of work experience in the travel industry. Most recently with JP Morgan Chase. Previously, Al was the Director of Global Finance, Travel Services at Sykes, where he led a team of 25 professionals and managed a budget of over $50 million.

Al is skilled in process improvement, customer relationship management, and customer experience. His wealth of experience brings significant value to the Hickory Team in many areas, including strategic planning, financial analysis, contract negotiation, and vendor management. Al's focus is on delivering high-quality travel solutions that meet the needs and expectations of diverse clients and stakeholders.