OurPeople

Meet Our Passionate Team of Travel Experts

With decades of experience and a wealth of expertise, our seasoned experts help you at every step of your journey. Our veteran trip planners create immersive travel experiences that will challenge you, move you and inspire you. After you book, a dedicated guest services manager is available to answer your questions and help you prepare for your upcoming journey. You will travel with an experienced expedition team, who will manage all the logistics of this program, as well as experts from world-renowned organizations who will share their knowledge of the sights, cultures and people we encounter.

Executive Team

As the leader in private jet journeys for nearly 30 years, the TCS World Travel executive team represents some of the most experienced travel professionals in the industry.

Shelley Cline

President

Shelley Cline, with TCS World Travel since 1993, is responsible for strategic planning to maintain the company’s position as the world leader in private jet expeditions. She has worked in tour operations and product development, overseen the company’s rebranding, established key partnerships, and plays a key role as part of the Executive Leadership team at TCS’s parent company, Travelopia. She also managed the launch of a new custom-built aircraft, cementing TCS World Travel’s leadership position in the luxury travel market.

Chris Kollas

Chief Customer Officer

Chris Kollas is responsible for the company’s revenue, strategic partnerships, account management and marketing operations. Chris has over 20 years of strategic sales and business development experience where he helped build and scale emerging companies both domestically and abroad.

Elisabeth Nelson

Chief Operating Officer

Elisabeth Nelson heads up product development, innovation, operations and the jet program. She has extensive experience with brands like Starbucks and Bed Bath & Beyond, and ran her own startup in the luxury service sector.

Ryan Schafer

Chief Financial Officer

Ryan Schafer is responsible for setting the overall financial strategy and managing administrative functions to ensure the continued delivery of amazing experiences for our guests. A 15-year finance professional, Ryan previously worked with large organizations like PricewaterhouseCoopers, EMC/Isilon & Impinj Inc., as well as other startups.

Scott Wiitala

Vice President – Human Resources

Scott Wiitala is responsible for all aspects of the employee experience at TCS World Travel. With over 25 years in the hospitality industry, Scott has driven HR strategy and employee development for several different organizations. Previously, Scott has worked with Hilton, Four Seasons, and Independent Hotel Groups in both HR and Operational Leadership Roles.

Expedition Staff

Our experienced expedition teams travel with you on your journey to ensure that the logistics of this complex trip run smoothly. They will assist you with activity options, help you make dinner reservations for dine-around evenings, and answer any questions you may have along the way.

Richard Butler

Expedition Leader

Richard has worked on more than 50 private jet trips for almost twenty years, traveling to 125 countries on seven continents. Learn more about Richard.

Susan Cegavske

Expedition Leader

Susan left the corporate world to pursue her passion for travel and has lived in India, Italy and the Alaskan bush. She has been an expedition leader on numerous private jet trips. Learn more about Susan.

Eszter Foldvary

Expedition Leader

Eszter Foldvary has led expeditions by train, cruise ship and jet. She led her first private jet expedition for TCS in 1995. Since then, she has served on over 85 jet trips and visited at least 130 countries. Learn more about Eszter.

Johanne Gordon

Expedition Leader

Johanne has led over 30 journeys to more than 100 countries on all seven continents. Her specialty is private jet journeys. Learn more about Johanne.

Jill Peacock

Expedition Leader

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jill has been an international travel director for the past 20 years, working as part of the expedition team at TCS World Travel and scouting new destinations. Learn more about Jill.

Gabriel Moreno

Expedition Leader

Originally from Costa Rica, Gabriel developed his passion for travel at a young age. He first began working on TCS trips in 2015 and has served as a staff member on dozens of expeditions. Learn more about Gabriel.

Guest Relations Team

Our Guest Relations team is available to answer any questions you might have before booking a journey. They love to talk to our future guests and share information about our exciting expeditions.

Susie Lukach

Director of Business Development

Susie began her professional life as a Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State. Now, decades later, she has a wealth of international travel expertise including visits to over 55 countries. Susie travels across the United States for TCS, hosting small events to introduce people to our seamless way to explore outstanding destinations.

Clara Pellham

Sales Director

With over 20 years of travel experience, Clara has a love for travel that has taken her to 17 countries. She is excited to be using her passion to lead and support the Luxury Custom Travel team in crafting unique, personalized itineraries.

Kristina Gordon

Travel Consultant

Kristina Gordon has over 25 years of experience in hospitality, travel and sales. One of the highlights of her career was working on Paul Allen’s private yacht, traveling across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic.

Anna Hawley

Travel Consultant

Anna has perfected the art of arranging unique experiences for her guests. From chartering a private jet for a family in China to arranging exclusive golf course visits in New Zealand, she can help make your dreams a reality.

Maggie McCombs

Travel Consultant

Maggie has been globetrotting ever since she spent the summer in Central America when she was 18 years old. In college, she studied in East Africa where she completed her thesis in sustainable tourism. Since then, she has visited 17 countries and counting. She would love to help bring your trip ideas to life.

Tracy Stevens

Travel Consultant

With in-depth knowledge of more than 40 countries and two decades in travel, Tracy is passionate about tailoring unique experiences for our guests. Recognized as a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist, Tracy crafts itineraries full of exclusive access and unexpected delights, turning your travel dreams into cherished memories.

Rachel McBride

Travel Consultant

With 25 countries under her belt and a decade of experience in luxury tourism, Rachael enjoys creating custom itineraries to all corners of the globe. She looks forward to making your next trip with TCS truly unforgettable.

Lucia Carruthers

Luxury Sales Coordinator

Lucia has over 10 years of experience working in the luxury hospitality industry. Her passion for exploring, as well as her experiences of traveling around the world, allow her to help guests select the trip that is right for them.

Guest Services Managers

When you book an expedition with TCS World Travel, you are assigned a personal Guest Services Manager who will be your point of contact from then until departure. He or she will guide you through the process of preparing for your upcoming adventure and be available to answer any questions you might have.

Jennifer DuBois

Director of Guest Experience

For the last 24 years, Jennifer has been instrumental in innovation around the private jet travel experience. Focused on delighting guests, she is also passionate about helping our teams execute flawlessly both in the office and on the road. She has traveled to over 80 countries and loves how travel brings connections and opens the mind. She is always excited for the next adventure.

Sahara Woods

Guest Services Director

Human connection is at the heart of it all for Sahara. She fulfills this passion by cultivating the “want for nothing” experience that our guests love. Sahara uses her expertise in operations management and luxury service to lead our team of Guest Services Managers.

Adam Briehl

Guest Services Manager

Since 2013, Adam has had the privilege to get to know and help hundreds of guests prepare for unique travel experiences. The most rewarding part is meeting the guests before they depart—their excitement is always palpable.

Jackie Robertson

Guest Services Manager

Jackie assists and supports guests through the entire trip preparation process, from beginning to end. She has been to 15 countries and one of her favorite experiences has been seeing all the animals in the Serengeti.

Ahva Pordel

Guest Services Manager

Ahva Pordel comes with an extensive background in customer service. As a Guest Services Manager, she is here to assist and support her guests from the moment they book their trip until long after they return home. Her favorite places to travel are Italy, Greece and anywhere throughout Southeast Asia.

Stuart Meeks

Guest Services Manager

Stuart connects people with travel experiences that create memorable journeys around the globe. He has explored 25 countries where he enjoys taking photos, especially in Italy, Nepal and Tanzania, while finding adventure along the way.

Addie Tribe

Guest Services Manager

With a background in hospitality and customer service, Addie works to be the ultimate resource for her guests as they prepare to embark on these incredible journeys. She loves being able to make genuine connections and share her passion for travel and exploration. Her most memorable trip so far is Galway, Ireland.

Evan Griffis

Guest Services Manager

Evan’s background in luxury boutique hotels benefits guests looking for a personalized travel manager. He enjoys getting to know guests throughout the planning process and preparing their details to ensure a seamless trip.

Pat Walls

Guest Services Manager

Pat majored in Travel and Tourism and has extensive experience in the hotel industry. This allows him to create relationships with his guest on multiple levels, striving to make connections for a lifetime. His favorite place to travel was to Ecuador for an internship in college.

Camilla Patrizio

Guest Services Manager

With a background in Luxury and Boutique Hospitality, Camilla has a passion for creating unique experiences. She loves to travel, exploring to find those unique spots that truly reflect the character of a place – and sharing them with her guests to create unparalleled adventures.

Masha Levin

Guest Services Manager

Masha has worked in the luxury travel industry for 10 years, and has a strong foundation in guest services, and partnerships. She has a degree in biblical archaeology from Israel, and a graduate degree in library & information science, these help her dig up unique experiences for guests, and organize them in a compelling way.

Deanna Nall

Guest Services Manager

Dreaming big is an avid pastime for Deanna. Using her background in luxury boutique hospitality and travel photography, her goal is to create timeless memories and experiences for her guests. She looks forward to chasing dream destinations with you.

Maegan Fenn

Guest Services Manager

With a master’s degree in travel and tourism, Maegan is passionate about her guests having luxury experiences that nourish their spirit to travel in unique ways. She loves to travel to remote destinations and explore the path less traveled.

Aspen Hoyle

Guest Services Manager

Aspen’s extensive background in customer service enables her to build long-lasting connections and luxury experiences with guests. She has a passion for travel and loves to be a part of crafting one-of-a-kind itineraries to experience cultures in truly unique destinations.

Teen Advisory Panel

Our Luxury Custom Travel department can design journeys to appeal to every generation in the family. The well-traveled teens on our Teen Advisory Panel work with our consultants giving tips and insights to make your next family travel experience a great one. Learn more about our Teen Advisory Panelists here.

Anna

Age 14, Texas

Has lived all over the world—Peru, Indonesia, Chile, Washington DC, and Mexico—and her family loves to travel. So far, she has visited all continents except Antarctica. Enjoys shopping in remote fairs or markets, because you never know what you can find.

Charlotte

Age 15, United Kingdom

Has lived in the UK, Netherlands, United States and Chile and traveled extensively with her parents. Many of these trips involved road trips off the beaten track. Her family enjoys windsurfing so they travel to countries for that as well. Loves remote places like the Galapagos Islands and Lanzarote.

Devan

Age 14, Netherlands

From the US, but has lived in Amsterdam since he was 11. Loves being less than two hours away from over 10 countries because he can experience so many different cultures, try new food, and meet people from all around the world. Favorite trips include a safari in South Africa, a journey through Egypt, and trips to India, Nicaragua, and Turkey.

Josie

Age 17, Washington

Her mom is in the travel industry, so she has had opportunities that have ranged from spending the night on an iceberg in Antarctica to swimming with sharks in Bora Bora. She just returned from a year on her own as a high school exchange student in Spain.

Maya

Age 15, Indonesia

Born in Jordan and has lived in Turkey, Chile, India and Indonesia. Travels vary from taking a catamaran trip to secluded beaches in Thailand to biking in France and Holland. Enjoys seeing classic attractions like Buckingham Palace and also shopping in street markets.

Marcos

Age 14, New Jersey

Has traveled to all seven continents. Enjoys trips that combine activity with a little history and culture. Loves wildlife: safari in Kenya, orangutans in Borneo, Komodo dragons in Flores, unique animals in Galapagos and penguins and whales in Antarctica.

Sierra

Age 15, Washington

Has lived in the US, South America and Europe and has visited 42 countries. Enjoys places like Vietnam, Brazil, Italy, and Dubai with unique cultures, food, geography and people. Loves immersive activities like the baths in Budapest, mask-making in Venice, safari in South Africa or biking in Asia.

Trent

Age 16, Washington

His family takes a couple of large trips a year to a different part of the world to see new countries. He has also lived in Europe, where he appreciated having the rest of the continent so close by. He prefers active vacations in places like Norway, New Zealand, Switzerland and Virgin Gorda.

Office Dogs

Meet the pooches of TCS World Travel. From ca-nine to five, our four-legged friends enjoy plentiful treats, belly rubs and petworking events with other members of the pack. It’s a ruff life.

Poppy

Westie (West Highland Terrier)

My favorite spot at TCS is on the windowsill so I can enjoy the beautiful view of Elliott Bay! #TCSMOMENTS

Pumpkin

Pomeranian

I am a princess through and through. I enjoy short walks, warm beds and high-end treats.

Olive

English/French Bulldog

I am a stubborn little bread loaf with a penchant for tummy rubs and creepy stares.

Chai

French Bulldog

I am all about the Chai lifestyle, which means napping and eating treats all day long. I love office life.

Mac

Wheaton Terrier Mix

I think I am a therapy dog… can I take a nap in your arms?

Gozer

Havanese

Hobbies include: barking at other dogs on TV, marathon snuggling, getting belly rubs, zooming, dancing on my hind legs, and chicken.

Addie

Labrador Retriever

Coming into work is pawtastic! I love updating spreadsheets and assisting with sales calls. I get lots of treats, belly rubs and I get to give puppy kisses to everyone who stops by!

Thor

Norwegian Buhund

I like to herd anyone and anything that comes my way.

Louie

French Bulldog

I’ve been told I’m a French bulldog, but I’m almost certain that I’m actually two parts bunny and one part pig.

Izzy

English Springer Spaniel

As a young dog, I have two speeds: full stop and go, go, go! I love coming to the office and think that all people and dogs have nothing better to do than play with me… or give me a belly rub.

Upcoming Expeditions

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OurPeople

Meet Our Passionate Team of Travel Experts

Executive Team

Shelley Cline

Chris Kollas

Elisabeth Nelson

Ryan Schafer

Scott Wiitala

Expedition Staff

Richard Butler

Susan Cegavske

Eszter Foldvary

Johanne Gordon

Jill Peacock

Gabriel Moreno

Guest Relations Team

Susie Lukach

Clara Pellham

Kristina Gordon

Anna Hawley

Maggie McCombs

Tracy Stevens

Rachel McBride

Lucia Carruthers

Guest Services Managers

Jennifer DuBois

Sahara Woods

Adam Briehl

Jackie Robertson

Ahva Pordel

Stuart Meeks

Addie Tribe

Evan Griffis

Pat Walls

Camilla Patrizio

Masha Levin

Deanna Nall

Maegan Fenn

Aspen Hoyle

Teen Advisory Panel

Anna

Charlotte

Devan

Josie

Maya

Marcos

Sierra

Trent

Office Dogs

Poppy

Pumpkin

Olive

Chai

Mac

Gozer

Addie

Thor

Louie

Izzy

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