How many people work for you? About 30 plus 5 in the field in New York, plus just over 25 in Canada.
What’s the best part of the job? My travel background is on the supplier side and I’m enjoying the challenge of going from being a supplier to a retailer. And I really enjoy meeting with the cruise suppliers and learning how they think about the industry.
What did you want to be as a kid? (Laughs.) An airline pilot.
Ever had a brush with fame? Just recently here in New York I saw Nicole Kidman and Bill Murray in the same restaurant (but not together!).
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? I am a numbers person, whereas Lindsay Pearlman [her co-president] is a very eloquent speaker, and I really admire that.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done? It was scary but I did it with confidence: hang-gliding over the cliffs of Rio. Definitely a leap of faith! One of these days I’ll do skydiving.
Any guilty pleasures? Jelly beans and gummy bears. And sneaking away for the occasional massage.
What’s your favourite airline? That’s a loaded question! Cathay Pacific.
What do people not know about you? That I used to fly gliders.
If you could have 100 pounds of something, what would it be? Money! Or if food, jelly beans.
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? Getting the consumer to recognize the benefits of a travel agent - that’s our longterm goal.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long haul flight who would it be? The head of ASTA.
What kind of car do you drive? None. We don’t own a car - we’re very eco!
How much do you travel each year? We always take at least three or four big vacations a year. My 7 years old son has been to almost 50 countries.
Is there anything you won’t eat? I’m not a good 4th of July person because I don’t like hamburgers, cole slaw or potato salad. I end up with the watermelon and potato chips!
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Keeping active, being challenged and hopefully being healthy.
