Where were you born? In Los Angeles.
How long have you been in the business? 25
years, including 18 years at Collette Vacations.
Where are you based? In New Jersey, near
Philadelphia.
How many people work for you? Including sales
reps and 2 call centres, about 12 in all.
What's the best part of the job? People saying
“Yes!" I get jazzed when we are developing partnerships and people are coming
onboard.
What did you want to be as a kid? A baseball
player.
What was your 1st ever job? Paper
route.
What's the scariest thing you've ever done? Bungee
jumping in New Zealand. Did I enjoy it? Well I did it twice, so I guess that
answers the question.
Any guilty pleasures? Martinis. Extra dry vodka
martinis.
What's your favourite airline? I love Porter even
though I have to make the drive to Newark. I've encountered movie stars,
athletes – there's always someone famous on that little plane.
Favourite hotel? Fairmont Banff Springs.
What's on your iPad? I gave it away. It was too
distracting!
What do people not know about you? In 1987 I
started a charitable bike race to raise funds for a local summer home for blind
children. We call it the Tour de Shore. We started with 22 participants and now
get over 1,000.
Any hobbies or interests? I love beach volleyball.
When were you happiest? The drive home from the hospital
with each of my 2 kids!
What skill or talent do you admire in someone? The
ability to speak in public in front of a large crowd.
Is there anything you won't eat? Scorpions, spiders
and poutine. No thank you.
What's at the top of your bucket list? Bhutan.
Ever had a brush with fame? Lots – including Ryan
Reynolds and Blake Lively on a Porter flight. See, I told you!
What keeps you awake at night? Thinking about
retirement.
How do you spend your frequent flyer points? I save
them, like Clooney in the movie Up in the Air.
How do you stay fit when you travel? I'm in the gym
in the morning.
If you could change one thing about the industry what
would it be? That everyone in the world would really take to the term
'adventure travel'.
If you could sit next to anyone on a long-haul flight,
who would it be? John Lennon
What will be the biggest challenge for the industry in
the next 12 months? Technology – many companies are trying to adapt to new
systems and it's almost overwhelming for many people.
What do you hope to be doing in 10 years? Running
a company. My own? Who knows!
