Chuck Sharp, President, ASBTA

Sharp, with over twenty-three years experience in management, marketing, marketing communications and partner relations, he was previously Vice President of the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance (ITSPA).  ITSPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and promotion of the use of technology to small and medium companies to solve business challenges.  His leadership has resulted in over six billion impressions and coverage in numerous major media outlets. 

During his career he has worked with a variety of companies in the software, travel, telephone equipment, computer, manufacturing and communications industries.  Sharp’s experience includes eighteen years with Hewlett-Packard, with responsibilities encompassing channel development, systems, digital solutions, storage technology and software, and enterprise and mid-market development. Sharp holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Science and Computer Systems from Oklahoma State University.

Chet Gray, Executive Vice President, ASBTA

As Vice President Sales and Marketing of the American Small Business Travel Alliance, Chet Gray brings to the ASBTA more than 20 years of experience in marketing, sales and senior management at companies such as IBM, Tandy and HP.

His 12-year career at HP included serving as national account manager for Fortune 500 sales as well as being chosen to lead the company’s thrust into the retail and small business markets.  Also, he served as HP’s western region hardcopy sales manager and had responsibility for all channel sales and marketing activities related to printers and digital imaging products.

Gray provided his expertise and leadership to help form three successful business start-ups.  He has served on the board of directors of a company called GrayMar, Inc. for 15 years, and is currently the vice president and general manager of Simonson Equine as well as the president of Gray Racing Stable.

Past experiences have included serving on the Financial Times web advisory panel, the HP Small Business Forum, and as a consultant on the Wal-Mart retail technology team.  Gray is a 1984 graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington where he earned a BBA in Information Systems.

Heather Martin, Vice President, ASBTA

ASBTA’s Vice President, Heather Martin, has many years of experience and operational knowledge in the airline industry.  For instance, she has served as an American Airlines internal auditor.  In this position, she has reviewed the Passenger Interline Accounting processes including an analysis of airline settlements.  She also has examined interline receivable and payable procedures to ensure they met ACH and IATA industry standards and were in accordance with bilateral prorate agreements.

Martin’s operational knowledge includes more than 30 reviews of airport operations covering flight processing, ticket sales, cargo Admirals Clubs, fuel, and baggage services in domestic, Caribbean, Latin American and European locations.  She also has reviewed seven international sales offices including analysis of barter and corporate agreements, agency incentive programs and travel authorization certificates in Latin America and Europe.

Other experiences with American Airlines include having initiated, developed and instructed a class on sales and city ticket procedures for all sales managers in Europe, and has presented to various AA groups such an MCLA Controllers Workshop and a GM Training Workshop.  She also developed and instructed two specialized control procedure classes for specific field locations.

During her AA career, Martin has coordinated, planned and performed various political action committee activities, formed and chaired a committee to re-create the internal audit for sales offices, provided training to new auditors on accounting procedures and completed financial reviews.  Prior to joining AA, Martin was a senior auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  She earned a Master of Science Degree in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from Texas A&M University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Ron Sharp, Director, Integrated Communications and Technology, ASBTA

ASBTA's Director of Integrated Communications and Technology, Ron Sharp is responsible for website design, small business membership, online marketing, and travel technology. Ron’s background includes experience as an Internet Security Officer, public affairs officer, broadcast and print journalist, and talk show host. His background also includes enlisted and officer Marine Corps billets in aviation, public affairs, security and training.  He has served on the executive board of the local Chamber of Commerce, holds a degree in communication, Counseling, and Counseling Psychology with certifications in education, school counseling, communications, chemical dependency, psychiatric assessment, & computer science.