Turbine names travel mogul as operations VP

There's a new sheriff in town at MMO factory Turbine. Well, sheriff is probably too strong of a word. How about deputy? Or, barring that, principal, maybe. Whatever the case, his name is Ken Surdan, and he's the dev's new VP of operations.

Surdan's duties will be many in the new role, from fostering customer relations to overseeing the global operations of each of Turbine's franchises, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Asheron's Call. Now, looking over his resume, he doesn't have much -- well, okay any game industry experience. Still, the 15 year corporate vet has served in a number of high profile positions at such travel companies as TripAdvisor Media Network and National Leisure Group, making him the one to call on when execs want to get away ... even if he doesn't know his experience point from a platinum piece.