Where were you born? In Toronto.
How long have you been in the business? Most of my life – my parents owned a travel agency so I was weaned on it! My 1st job in the business was with Paramount Holidays with Vanessa Lee, David Sparkes, Linda Wright, Joanne Dhue… a lot of well-known industry types.
How many people work for you? We have 9 BDMs across Canada and 4 inside sales people.
What’s the best part of the job? There are so many good parts but I have to say it’s working with my team. They are passionate, dedicated and amazing. BDM Hector Kaczuga, for example, has been with us over 20 years.
What did you want to be as a kid? A destination rep, because I thought it would be so glamorous to live in a different country.
What was your 1st ever job? Working part-time in a library when I was 15.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? I had to do the peak-to-peak glass-bottom gondola ride in Whistler. I was petrified.
Any guilty pleasures? I like soap operas – the Young and the Restless! (laughs)
What’s on your tablet? Novels – I just finished another Linwood Barclay.
What do people not know about you? That I have a fear of flying – and I travel on average twice a month.
Any hobbies or interests? I don’t really have a lot of time, but if there’s one thing we do as a family - my sons are now 24 and 20 – it’s golf.
When were you happiest? I always loved watching my boys play hockey.
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? People who are musicians- that’s a great talent.
What’s at the top of your bucket list? The Galapagos – I am dying to go there.
Ever had a brush with fame? Yes! Singer Jann Arden is godmother to Avalon’s Tranquility II. She’s great fun and we all had a great time together on the christening cruise.
What keeps you awake at night? Thoughts about how to make sure our business remains successful.
How do you spend your frequent flyer points? Travelling with my family. Our last holiday was to Prince Edward Island.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? We need to get more young people involved.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight, who would it be? Oh god, it’s got to be George Clooney. (laughs again) Perhaps in First with those flat beds?
What kind of car do you drive? A Kia Sportage, much to my children’s chagrin.
Do you have a favourite charity? I support anything to do with heart disease or breast cancer, plus our corporate charity is Make-a-Wish.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? Getting consumer confidence to travel, not being afraid to fly to Europe or fearful of other concerns around the world.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Perhaps retired… and playing a lot of golf!
