SEATTLE (April 10, 2023) –  FRS Clipper Chief Executive Officer, Matthias Pahnke, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gordon Dirker as COO.

In his capacity as COO, Mr. Dirker will oversee the operations for the FRS Clipper offices in Seattle, directing sales, marketing, call center and product development, as well as relationships with outside vendors and partners. His hiring is another step forward as FRS Clipper aggressively enhances its position as the market leader for the fast ferry connection between Seattle and Victoria as well as its whale watching business from Seattle.  Mr. Dirker will operate from FRS Clipper’s Seattle offices.

“Gordon comes with a wealth of experience, enabling our organization to move beyond pandemic recovery and back into a state of strong operational efficiency and market growth,” states Pahnke. “He will fulfill a critical role in helping us achieve our vision of being the best travel hosts with a focus on a seamless travel experience for our guests.”

Prior to joining the FRS Clipper team, Dirker spent close to 30 years in senior roles with Contiki Vacations in the US and the UK, Brendan Vacations, Hurtigruten and Celestyal Cruises. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Sales, North America for Swan Hellenic Cruises. Educated in the Netherlands, Dirker is fluent in four languages and has traveled to all 7 Continents.

“I am very excited to join FRS Clipper and to propel forward the company’s reputation as an iconic regional brand. The Pacific Northwest, the Puget Sound, Vancouver Island, Victoria and Seattle are all destinations, which offer an exciting mix of culture, unique wildlife, experiences and amazing scenery. The expert FRS Clipper team delivers all of this and more to a wide range of guests, sourced locally, nationally and internationally through a mix of direct and trade channels.”

Additional information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from clippervacations.com, or by phone at 800-888-2535.

About FRS Clipper

FRS Clipper, a subsidiary of FRS, is well known as travel experts in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1986, FRS Clipper has provided transportation, tours and accommodation packages for more than eight million customers. Learn more at clippervacations.com.