Turkish Heritage

Danismaz is a respected business leader who has held a variety of positions for well-established international corporations and corporate America. Most recently he served as Corporate Accounts Manager at Turkish Airlines. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he was responsible for negotiating contract terms to address corporation’s air travel needs. During his tenure, he oversaw record growth for the company, established the airline’s first Corporate Help Desk. He also organized and oversaw Fam-Trips to Turkey for corporate clients which included the National Basketball Association, the International Monetary Fund and American Express.

With a passion for improving U.S.-Turkey relations, Danismaz left the corporate world to serve as THO’s first President when he grew frustrated with the increased scrutiny of the country and growing regional problems that needed addressing. Through THO Danismaz hopes to help foster better understanding of complex issues – including security, energy, humanitarian aid and trade – and explore policy solutions to regional problems. Danismaz is on the board of directors, founding member of the Turkish Community Center in Brooklyn and is a member of the Turkish-American Business Forum. In addition to his tenure at Turkish Airlines, Danismaz has extensive experience working in the financial industry, holding positions with New York Life and The Northwest Mutual Financial Network. Danismaz received his Bachelor of Political Science in International Affairs and minors in Economics and History from Baruch College at the City University of New York. While at Baruch College he served as the President of the Turkish Student Association.

A Turkish American, Cinar has dedicated much of his life to Turkish American causes and joined THO to help advance U.S.-Turkey relations. He has served as the President of the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA) as well as the Northeast Vice President of the Assembly of Turkish Americana. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke praised Cinar’s leadership of the FTAA, noting that under his leadership, “this Federation has become a well-known and respected cultural institution in our community.”

Prior to joining THO, Cinar worked as a businessman and journalist. In his career, Cinar has developed and implemented business programs for top global clients and agent networks. Before joining THO, he held positions with Western Union and Concord Industries. He is a credentialed reporter with the United Nations and the U.S. State Department and has been published in international publications including Hurriyet Daily News and Turk of America.

Over the course of his career, Cinar has earned a number of accolades including Leader of the Year by the Assembly of Turkish American Association, One of the Top 10 Most Successful Young People by  Junior Chamber International (JCI), and one of the 50 Most Influential Turkish Americans by Turk of America Magazine.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the Istanbul University, Cinar moved to the United States to continue his education. While completing his master’s degree at the University of New Haven, he worked as a Research Assistant atthe Communication Department and Center of Professional Ethics. During that time he also served as thePresident of the International Students Association and was awarded the “Outstanding International Student” Award.

Cinar has earned various executive business certificates from Harvard Univeristy, MIT and New York University.