OUR AGENTS

TRAVEL PLACE POTOMAC

Alex Clifton, Travel Consultant
Alex has been in the travel industry as a travel consultant and former travel agency owner for 31 years. He holds a BA degree from the University of Maryland in Archaeology and History and earned a certification in teaching from the Federal City College [now the University of the District of Columbia] in Washington D.C.

Carla Koller, Travel Consultant
Carla has worked full-time in the travel industry for 24 years as a travel consultant primarily focusing on leisure travel planning and customized tour arrangements. She holds a BS degree from the University of Maryland in dance, and graduated from International Travel Training Courses. As an avid skier, Carla has skied downhill and cross-country in the western and eastern U.S. She has hiked and traveled in national parks across the U.S. and Canada, and enjoyed the art, culture, and beautiful sights in most major cities. Carla has traveled extensively throughout Europe. Her favorite destinations include Italy, France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. She regards Brugge and Prague as two of the most charming European cities. Her travels in China and Israel have given her insight into ancient civilizations. Traveling off the beaten path in these countries took her to areas like the Stone Forest in China near the Vietnam border, and the Hula Nature Reserve in Israel where she observed flocks of storks and other birds migrating through the Middle East. One of the most interesting projects was arranging several Africa tours for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, including arrangements for Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, Mr. and Mrs. William Gates, Sr., foundation staff, security and Secret Service personnel, and broadcast and print media people. Carla’s expertise is working with clients to develop personalized itineraries that become unforgettable, rewarding travel experiences.

Tammy Sivers, Travel Consultant
Tammy has 26 years of experience in the leisure travel field. She started as a travel agent after completing courses at International Travel Training Courses, a school for travel agent that has closed. Tammy is our Caribbean travel and cruise expert. She has been on 23 cruises and has visited more than 20 islands, and she has also traveled in Britain, Northern Europe, Central and South America. Tammy’s enthusiasm and knowledge when talking about one of the many destinations she’s been to, makes clients really excited about going on their trip. She is one of the top leisure producers in our company.

TRAVEL PLACE BETHESDA

Niki Yianilos, Manager and Corporate Sales
Niki began my career as a corporate reservations agent in 1974, and opened Rainbow Travel in 1979. Since the merger of Rainbow Travel and Esprit Travel in 1998, Niki spent most of her time managing the operations and staff, and working with the corporate accounts on travel management and meeting planning. Although she missed planning vacations for clients, she enjoyed working with an incredibly professional group of agents who also know how to have fun. In her free time Niki likes to walk, read, spend time with friends, and ski with her family. Niki is married and have two children. Since the youngest left for college, Niki is enjoying the "empty nest" and looking forward to more time for travel. What Niki enjoys most about traveling is experiencing new cultures and viewing the natural beauty wherever she goes. The most interesting places Niki has visited are China, Turkey, and Jordan. Her favorite ways to relax are reading on a beach, preferrably in the Caribbean or Mexico, or skiing in the Rockies, especially at Steamboat Springs, Park City and Whistler Mountain.

Betty Billups, Travel Consultant
Betty's travel career began in 1974 when the industry was regulated and quite a bit more simple. Betty has extensive experience in successfully arranging complicated international travel itineraries that include multiple airlines, numerous stops, and include more than one country. Betty volunteers with a cat rescue organization and enjoys her garden.

Terrie Chiong, Travel Consultant
Terrie started working for a travel agency in their advertising and marketing department in 1995 after completing a B.S. degree in business management and A.A. degree in marketing. It was quite interesting to her watching the travel agents speak with various clients and make reservations. Terrie got curious and, as they say, the rest is history. To Terrie's surprise, she liked it a lot and within that same agency, she became their Group Coordinator and Group Manager. Terrie was fortunate enough to travel with the groups and was able to ensure her clients that their trips would run smoothly. Terrie has worked for both the leisure and the corporate departments in a number of different agencies. At this time in her life, however, she prefers to be a corporate agent. Terrie loves the challenge of trying to find the best priced itineraries for her corporate clients both for domestic travel and international travel. She loves to travel at a leisurely pace to truly understand the local culture. Terrie's favorite destination so far is Italy. She loves the culture, food, people, language, and their way of life. Terrie has been to the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. She would love to visit Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, and New Zealand in the near future. There is a world out there just waiting for her to visit and Terrie cannot wait to explore it!

Lisa Burton Van Alstine, Travel Consultant
Lisa has been a travel consultant since 1996 and was the Leisure Travel Manager for former Esprit Rainbow Travel. The world and its wonderful cultural differences are her life interest. Lisa has been to 60 foreign countries and tries to experience a great adventure in a new destination every year. Lisa lived in Europe for four years, speaks German and, when time permits, enjoys the arts of cooking and wine tasting. "Take the road less traveled!!"

Judy Kessler, Travel Consultant
Judy has earned the CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) and ACC (Accredited Cruise Counselor) certifications, and after 33 years as a travel counselor, she still enjoys making people's vacation dreams come true. Judy loves to travel and explore new places. Some of her favorite experiences have included Argentina, South Africa, The Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Vietnam. As a wife, mother, and now grandmother of 5, Judy looks forward to arranging vacations for the next generation. When she is not on the job Judy is an avid tennis player and loves to hike, swim, and bike as well as doing some volunteer work. She enjoys suggesting interesting options that would fit the individual client's taste and travel style. This includes cruises, tours and family reunions and groups.

Mindy Milliron, Travel Consultant
Mindy has been a professional travel consultant 1996 working in Northern Virginia and on Capitol Hill and specializes in designing personalized vacations, honeymoons, and exotic adventures for many consumers, friends and family. She is a Travel Institute Certified Travel Associate (CTA): a designation conferred by The Travel Institute upon travel professionals who complete a rigorous certification program, demonstrate essential industry knowledge and experience, and maintain high standards of professionalism. In addition she holds certifications in as a Specialist in Honeymoons & Destination Weddings, Luxury Travel, and Adventure Travel (in this last, certified by both the Travel Institute and the Adventure Council), as well as host of travel vendor and tourism certifications. Mindy serves as a Board Member Emeritus for the Greater Washington Chapter of Professional Travel Agents of North American and served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Washington Area Caribbean Tourism Organization. In addition to that volunteer service, she has served as a Visitor Services Volunteer at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  Mindy lives in an historic home on Capital Hill with her husband Dan and two fabulous tuxedo cats, Spanky and Bongo.  They all watch TV. together and every night and Mindy and Spanky share a low-fat, vanilla pudding cup!

Elaine Upton, Travel Consultant
Elaine has been a travel consultant since 1978 and has held CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) certification since 1983. As a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge, she is a "Disney Specialist" which indicates that she has attained a special knowledge of Disney destinations. Elaine has received additional training as a "Club Med Specialist", an "Aruba Specialist", a "Sandals/Beaches Certified Specialist", and "Accredited Cruise Counselor Certification". She loves languages and has a knowledge of French and Spanish. As a crossover agent, Elaine works in both the corporate and leisure departments. Elaine's favorite places to travel and sell include Walt Disney World, the National Parks of the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe (in particular France and Great Britain).

Barbara Dove, Travel Consultant
With over 25 years in the industry, Barbara specializes in arranging independent luxury travel and group/meeting/wedding travel both domestically and internationally. Whether for a large group or an individual trip Barbara would love to help you design your next vacation to your specific expectations anywhere in the world. Having traveled 6 of the 7 continents, her personal favorite remain The Banks Peninsula, New Zealand, Lake Como in Northern Italy and Eastern Africa. In addition to travel, Barbara has taught local Children's Theater for 30 years. She volunteers as a teacher and docent with the Folger Library's "Shakespeare Steps Out" for inner city schools. Additionally she volunteers at the Children's Inn at the National Institute of Health and at St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home.

Leslie Berger, Travel Consultant
Leslie has been a travel consultant since 1991 and has traveled extensively throughout the world. In particular, Australia, New Zealand, China, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and the South Pacific. Leslie specializes in leading group trips to various spa destinations and arrange adventure travel such as safaris and walking trips. Leslie has six grandchildren who she enjoys every day.

Gayle Bridgman-Santucci, Travel Consultant
As a travel consultant and expert in the luxury travel market, Gayle has had the opportunity to plan extremely specialized and detailed itineraries throughout the world. Gayle created meaningful and trusting relationships with her clients and is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction. Gayle enjoys working with clients who are looking for everything from that special, behind-the-scene tour or private tented safari to the ultimate honeymoon anywhere in the world. Through her Italian resources, which she has cultivated over the past ten years, Gayle has become an expert in travel to Italy.

Marlene Shusterman, Travel Consultant
After 22 years in the industry Marlene has become an expert in arranging family travel and soft adventure experiences such as dude ranches, rafting trips, and biking & hiking throughout the United States and Europe. Through her love of nature Marlene also has a strong interest in travel to New Zealand and parts of Africa. The Caribbean is a delight for her and she loves to plan that perfect honeymoon.

Selma Deleon, Travel Consultant
Selma was the owner of Esprit Travel, and a co-owner of Esprit Rainbow Travel. Selma has been in the travel business for over 25 years. Selma has lived, studied, and worked overseas, and travel widely. If the world is an oyster, she believes in exploring many aspects of it. Memorable moments include sipping champagne at sunset in Ayers Rock, hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara, and frolicking with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands. Selma is bilingual, and speaks English and Spanish. A resident of Bethesda for many years, Selma has been involved in numerous business organizations and volunteer work. Her grandkids keep her young.

Tony Abell, Independent Travel Consultant
With 17 years of experience in the travel business, Tony's focus is on giving each client exceptional value and service. Tony is certified as a country specialist by the Irish and Bermuda Tourist Boards. Tony's specialty is custom golf packages for groups of 2 to 20. He's been playing golf since he was 12, and has visited many of the top courses, resorts, and hotels near golfing destinations in the US, Ireland, and Scotland. Tony tries to visit at least two new golf destinations each year, and sends a quarterly newsletter to his clients. Tony is also an expert in group travel and custom vacations to France and Italy.

Zelda Goldberg, Travel Consultant
With 14 years in the travel industry, needless to say, Zelda has traveled extensively and specialize in travel to Europe. Over the years Zelda has also been able to visit China, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands which were incredibly unique, and Kenya which was the most interesting. Zelda especially enjoys creating special trips for young families. Most fulfilling for her is when she gets to vacation with her own family which consists of myriad generations. Zelda personally loves beaches, the Caribbean Islands, walking, theater and life in general.

TRAVEL PLACE FREDERICK

Karen Kephart, Manager
After graduating from the Boyd Travel School in 1977 Karen began her career in travel industry. Karen has arranged travel for dignitaries, such as Henry Kissinger to the unique personalities like Frank Zappa. She has traveled to several European countries as well as Japan, Thailand, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean. Karen recently completed Royal Caribbean's University of WOW and a cruise on one of their newest Freedom class ships. Karen's coworkers laugh because she always says "I wants to go there". In her off time Karen enjoys traveling to new places and spending time with her son, family and friends.

Diane Laubach, Travel Consultant
With 16 years experience in the travel industry Diane has had the pleasure of making dreams happen for many families and couples! Nothing is quite like making a family realize that the dream vacation they’ve always wanted to take is within their reach. She have attended the “College of Disney Knowledge” to earn her “Disney Specialist” status. This is a tremendous help in planning that perfect “Magical Experience” for her clients. Dianne also hold a certification as a Sandals/Beaches Specialist.She loves cruising and has cruised extensively throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas. This has been very beneficial in matching the perfect cruise line and itinerary to families and groups of all ages and sizes. When not at work Dianne enjoys spending time with my 2 teenage daughters and her little dog Cosmo.