Stein Kruse is Group Chief Executive Officer, Holland America Group and Carnival UK; his board appointment is effective as of the end of June 2018
SEATTLE – June 12, 2018 – The Auction of Washington Wines (AWW) announced today that Stein Kruse, Group Chief Executive Officer of Holland America Group and Carnival UK, divisions of Carnival Corporation & plc. is joining its Board of Directors. As Group CEO, Kruse oversees a robust portfolio of cruise brands and travel operations including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Holland America-Princess Alaska land operations, P&O Cruises Australia and the UK-based brands of Cunard Line and P&O Cruises. Kruse officially joins AWW at the end of June 2018 and brings with him strong international industry experience that will bring another layer of expertise to the AWW Board.
Kruse, a native of Norway, holds a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. In addition to joining AWW’s Board of Directors, he also serves on the boards of the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation, World Trade Center Seattle, Saltchuk Resources, Inc. and the University of Washington Foster School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.
Kruse joined Holland America Line in Seattle, Wash., in 1999 as senior vice president, Fleet Operations, with overall responsibility for operations and newbuilds. In 2003 he was named president and chief operating officer and became chief executive officer on Dec. 1, 2004. In January 2011 he was appointed chairman of Seabourn when the company’s corporate headquarters transitioned from Miami, Fla., to Seattle. He was appointed CEO of the newly formed Holland America Group on Dec. 1, 2013 and became Group CEO for Holland America Group and Carnival UK on March 27, 2017.
“We can’t wait to welcome Stein to our group of passionate, smart and dynamic Board of Directors,” said Shelley Tomberg, Executive Director, Auction of Washington Wines. “Stein’s professional experience and deep community roots will be an invaluable addition to AWW and will surely help steer the team toward another record-breaking year!”
“My involvement with AWW over the years – including co-chairing their largest annual fundraising event twice – has been a very rewarding experience for me as it raises much needed funding for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital,” said Kruse. “I’m looking forward to becoming more involved as a board member in June to support this very important mission while also elevating the awareness of Washington State wines and associated programs for our states growing industry.”
This year’s AWW events will take place August 16 to 18, 2018. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.AuctionofWaWines.org.
About the Auction of Washington Wines
Since its inception in 1988, AWW has raised more than $41 million, benefitting Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington wine industry and families in our communities around the region. The 2018 Auction of Washington Wines will take place August 16 to 18, 2018. Major sponsors include Wells Fargo, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Ferrari of Seattle, The John L. Scott Foundation, The Seattle Times, King 5 TV and Wine Spectator Magazine. For more information, visit AWW online at www.AuctionofWaWines.org.
