How long have you been in the business? 27 years, including a stint as a travel agent and 14 years with the Barbados Tourism Authority.
What's the best part of the job? Telling people about new product lines.
What did you want to be as a kid? A chef. I'm a good cook now.
What was your first job? The graveyard shift in a video store in Barbados. No one ever came in so I'd watch three movies a night.
Ever had a brush with fame? Yes, while I was in NYC working in the UN, I got to meet all sort of heads of state.
What's the scariest thing you've ever done? In New Zealand, flying in a four-seater plane that rose and fell over each mountain. I was a complete idiot for having done that.
What's your favourite airline? (Laughs) I've been flying Air Canada for 38 years.
What do people not know about you? That I have a degree in mathematics.
Any hobbies or interests? Diving.
What's on your iPod? Lady Gaga – I love her!
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in the next 12 months? Getting a fair price for what we are selling.
Whom do you most respect in the industry? A tie between three strong women I know who all have a warm side: Sue Webb [of VoX Travel Management], Dina Bertolo [of Thomas Cook], and ACV president Zeina Gedeon. I find them fascinating.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be? I wish agents wouldn't reach for the cheapest, but for the best match for their customers.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long haul flight who would it be? Jamie Oliver – because he has almost a childlike fascination with food and doesn't look at it like anyone else. And he laughs a lot at himself.
What's your favourite destination? St. Barts.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? I want to work deeper into an airline. I want to be involved in development, perhaps of new markets or inflight initiatives.
