November 6, 2026 — Polar specialist Quark Expeditions has made two senior appointments in expedition operations and product development.
Who is in the new roles
| Name | New role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Morrison | Senior director, expedition operations: oversees expedition staffing, permits, trip delivery and the helicopter program | Previously in Quark’s Toronto office |
| Sarah Friedlander | Senior product manager | Joins from Lindblad Expeditions, where she was manager of expedition development |
The appointments follow the recent hiring of Nicole Thornton as vice president of product and planning, and the promotion of Samantha Crimmin to vice president of operations.
What it means for airline travelers
- No change to sailings: no voyages, dates or prices are affected.
- Watch for new trips: new product leaders often bring new itineraries. Polar trips book up far ahead and usually start with a flight to a gateway city, so plan your positioning flights early.
- Interline and travel-industry rates: none were mentioned.
Sources
- Cruise Industry News: Quark Strengthens Leadership with Operations and Product Appointments
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