# Greg Sullivan

> Greg Sullivan is the CEO and cofounder of AFAR, the award-winning travel media brand he launched in 2009 with Joe Diaz after a transformative six-week trip to India. A former corporate securities attorney, investment banker, and serial entrepreneur — he previously co-founded the world's largest-selling coin-operated basketball game manufacturer and served as President and CEO of DriveTime Automotive Group — Sullivan reinvented himself in his 40s through philosophy studies at Cambridge and a late-discovered passion for international travel. Under his leadership, AFAR has grown from a print magazine into a multiplatform media brand with a digital presence, a podcast, a nonprofit foundation (Learning AFAR), and a B Corp certification, and in 2025 expanded to Europe with the acquisition of SUITCASE Magazine.

- **Role:** CEO and Cofounder at AFAR
- **Organizations:** AFAR Media, AFAR Foundation / Learning AFAR, Carvana (Board of Directors), No Barriers USA (Board, 2010-2021), DriveTime Automotive Group, National Sports Games
- **From:** Oklahoma, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.B.A. in Finance, University of Notre Dame, J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, Philosophy studies (non-degree program), Cambridge University (UK)
- **Known for:** Co-founded AFAR magazine in 2009, which became one of America's leading travel media brands, AFAR's flagship magazine named Best Travel Magazine in America (twice), Grew AFAR from a single print magazine to a multiplatform brand with digital, podcast, events, and travel advisory divisions

## Career timeline

- **1983** — Began career as a corporate securities attorney
- **late 1980s** — Transitioned from law to investment banking
- **1989** — Co-founded National Sports Games, manufacturer of the world's largest-selling coin-operated basketball game
- **1995** — Left National Sports Games; joined DriveTime Automotive Group as President
- **1999** — Became CEO of DriveTime Automotive Group, second-largest used car sales and finance company in the US
- **2004** — Stepped down as President and CEO of DriveTime; took Vice Chairman role
- **2007** — Left DriveTime; began pursuing new ventures and personal travel
- **2008** — Took transformative six-week trip to India with Joe Diaz; conceived the idea for AFAR
- **2009** — Co-founded AFAR Magazine with Joe Diaz; simultaneously launched AFAR Foundation (Learning AFAR)
- **2013** — AFAR named one of Adweek's Hot List publications
- **2014** — AFAR achieved profitability with five-fold circulation growth in five years
- **2020** — AFAR launched Travel Tales podcast
- **2021** — Stepped down from No Barriers USA board after 11 years
- **2024** — AFAR received B Corp certification after years of pursuit
- **2025** — AFAR acquired SUITCASE Magazine (UK), expanding into European market

## Achievements

- Co-founded AFAR magazine in 2009, which became one of America's leading travel media brands
- AFAR's flagship magazine named Best Travel Magazine in America (twice)
- Grew AFAR from a single print magazine to a multiplatform brand with digital, podcast, events, and travel advisory divisions
- Invested approximately $20 million of personal capital in AFAR's early development
- Founded Learning AFAR nonprofit, sending 300+ underserved high school students on international trips
- Led AFAR to B Corp certification, joining 10,000+ businesses committed to social and environmental good
- Acquired SUITCASE Magazine (UK) in 2025 to expand AFAR's reach into Europe
- Previously served as President and CEO of DriveTime Automotive Group, second-largest used car company in the US
- Co-founded National Sports Games, which built the world's largest-selling coin-operated basketball game
- Serves on Carvana's Board of Directors as Chair of the Compensation and Nominating Committee

## Latest updates

- **2025-07** — AFAR acquired SUITCASE Magazine, a UK-based design-forward travel brand, marking the company's first European expansion.
- **2024-12** — AFAR received B Corp certification after years of work, joining over 10,000 companies committed to using business as a force for good.
- **2024-09** — Sullivan posted updates on LinkedIn about AFAR's continued growth and editorial direction.

## Links

- Website: https://afar.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-sullivan-6461548
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GregAFAR
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregsul/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregsul/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/greg-sullivan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-26