John Dowd (CEO)


John Dowd is an American-born executive. He is the CEO and co-founder of Sundance Vacations, a wholesale vacation company based in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and is also a very active member of the community, serving on the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, as the chair of the grants committee for the Luzerne Foundation and the Parent Advisor for the Youth Advisory Committee. He also serves on the board of trustees for Wyoming Seminary.
Dowd, with the help of his wife Tina, co-founded Sundance Vacations in 1991 after working in the vacation industry.
Dowd purchased a new property and built the current headquarters of his business in 2007.

Early life, education and career

Dowd was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania and attended Shikellamy High School. Later, he received a Bachelor of Engineering from Penn State University. Dowd also served as an Army Reservist with the United States Army Reserve.
His career with Sundance Vacations started in 1991 as a small marketing operation with just himself and his wife. The company has since grown to employ over 700 employees and has offices in four states. Dowd began the permission marketing portion of Sundance Vacations in 2003.

Charitable endeavors

In 2013, Dowd, along with his wife Tina, donated $50,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The company donated $5,000 to the Wyoming Valley Children's Association and was the presenting sponsor for the April 22, 2017 . Sundance Vacations is also a supporter of Volunteers in Medicine. This year, they were the Hulu sponsor at the $5,000 level for the annual fundraiser that they have participated in for over three years. John Dowd is partnering with the United Way of NEPA and NASCAR for the Race for the Kids covered by . This event held at the Pocono Raceway, also known as the "tricky triangle" will raise awareness of, and generate revenue for early childhood education in the community. Derrick Cope, #55 is the sponsored driver for the event.

Awards

Dowd was named to the Glassdoor list of the Highest Rated CEOs for Small and Medium Businesses in North America on June 10, 2015.
Dowd was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, in 2014, as an Outstanding Philanthropist.
Dowd, and his wife Tina, were recognized by U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district, Lou Barletta, and were awarded the Volunteers of America Spirit of Youth Award.