Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a global leader in business travel management, today announced the promotion of Dave Knudsen to managing director of business development. In his new role, Knudsen manages a team of business development directors selling CWT products and services to companies in Minnesota, Chicago and Texas. Knudsen reports directly to Vicky Dodson, Senior Director of Business Development.

Prior to his new role, Knudsen was director of business development for Navigant International, working in the Chicago area for six years and in Minneapolis for four years before that. CWT acquired Navigant in 2006 and has since created smaller regions and focused more on localized sales. Dave's decade of experience with Navigant, which traditionally has focused on localized sales, will benefit companies in the Minnesota, Chicago and Texas markets looking to manage and optimize their corporate travel programs.

"Dave's nearly ten years of sales experience, with the legacy Navigant organization and now with CWT, make him an extremely knowledgeable sales professional in the dynamic business travel industry," Dodson said. "This new role increases Dave's scope of leadership while allowing him to continue doing what he does best - assisting clients with the products and services they need to effectively manage their corporate travel programs."