Hawaii Master Destination Specialist

I've been a travel advisor since 1990.  I earned my Certified Travel Counselors (CTC) certificate in 2006 and my Certified Business Travel Consultant (CBTC) in 2012. My undergraduate business degree is from the University of San Diego, and my graduate degree (MBA) is from Xavier University.

Interests: Hawaii, Maui, adventure, beach vacations In my 25 years as a Cincinnati travel agent, I’ve planned all kinds of trips: from simple one-way travel to complex, around-the-world itineraries spanning 6 months. And I’ve arranged travel to every continent except Antarctica; but having been to Hawai’i 50 times, I’d have to say that it’s my specialty. The best things about Hawai’i are the people and the beaches. Hawaiian people are incredibly laid back. There’s never a problem; they are never aggressive. And all the beaches in Hawai’i are public—you can’t buy them. So I just drive along and see a beach that looks particularly attractive; then I stop. The most gorgeous beaches in the world, and they are available to everyone. Maui is my all-time favorite destination; I’ve never found anything comparable. Maui offers the perfect amount of hustle and bustle, with its cities of Kahului, Kihei, and Lahaina, as well as miles of the tropical beaches that I love. The other islands are either more urban or way less developed; so they don’t have the access to convenience and culture that is available on Maui while also offering the tranquility of nearby beaches. My knowledge about all that Hawai’i has to offer allows me to plan very detailed, custom trips for my clients. They have participated in activities like parasailing, hiking on volcanoes, and zip-lining; and they’ve gone on amazing adventures, such as photography eco-tours and hiking treks in exotic tropical forests. But other clients just want to relax on the beach, and I can help with that, too. No matter what your needs or desires, I can develop the perfect Hawai’ian package for you. Whether you want a basic room to simply sleep in or a luxurious private suite overlooking the ocean, I have the resources and the knowledge to make your Hawaiian experience fit your budget while exceeding your expectations.

Over the years, I’ve honed my skills by planning various kinds of itineraries. One of the first trips I ever planned was an around-the-world honeymoon. It was a 12-month journey broken into two-six month parts, with the travelers coming back home for 30 days in between. The trip included destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, India, the South Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. My clients went to major tourist zones and to places tourists would never know about. Stays varied from two days to a month. It was a major project to arrange the massive number of details involved; but I learned so much about how to tailor a trip to my clients’ desires and about ways to research the perfect activities and accommodations.

My own travel experiences have also informed the way I plan travel for my clients. I have so enjoyed observing and learning about diverse cultures around the world, and I try to give my clients access to experiences that afford them the same kind of wonder and fascination. But I also know what it’s like when things don’t go as planned; you miss a flight or they are doing noisy construction to your hotel. While you’re on your vacation, I can be your advocate and find a way to get you what you need. My expertise in Hawaiian, foreign, and domestic travel enables me to give authoritative recommendations for accommodations and experiences. But If I don’t know the answer or if there is someone else in the office who has more experience with a destination, I defer to their expertise.

Besides my ability to admit when I don’t know something, another quality that clients appreciate about me is my laid back approach. I feel like the influence of the Hawai’ian people has rubbed off on me in that I don’t worry or get flustered when something isn’t going quite right. I keep a cool head so I can give you the best service possible. What I’ve learned from my many travel experiences is that the world does not revolve around my own little sphere. There is truly a whole universe out there to be explored. I can help you explore that universe, providing you with memories that will last a lifetime.

In June 2019 I was presented the Employee of Excellence award given to two outstanding employees from among over 50,000 within our network.  A truly humbling honor!  You can read about it here:

https://internova.com/cincinnati-travel-agent-honored-with-national-employee-of-excellence-award-from-travel-leaders/