CHIEF TRAVEL OFFICER
Born in Germany and raised in a military family, I’ve cultivated a global perspective through extensive travel across various continents and most of the 50 United States. Initially aspiring to become a veterinarian due to my deep love for animals, I transitioned away from this path upon realizing my aversion to witnessing their suffering.
Following my high school years in Northern Japan, I pursued higher education in Arizona, earning a bachelor’s degree before settling in Florida to establish a successful career spanning 15 years in the real estate sector. Continuously seeking knowledge, I obtained a master’s in business administration and became a Certified Professional Accountant. Despite professional endeavors, my passion for animals remained steadfast, evident through my lifelong dedication to rescuing and caring for cats and dogs.
In 2001, my introduction to doggie daycare ignited a profound interest in the pet care industry. Determined to pursue this newfound passion, I meticulously planned and saved, culminating in the realization of my dream in 2009 when I acquired a pet boarding and transportation business from Dr. Dale Hodgson, former IPATA President. Under his mentorship, I honed my skills in managing such facilities and pet transportation services.
Joining IPATA in 2009 marked the beginning of an enriching journey, highlighted by meaningful connections and opportunities for professional growth. Throughout my tenure, I’ve undertaken diverse responsibilities, serving as Chairperson for the Awards and Country Profiles Committees, actively engaging in the Education and Content Planning Committees, and currently fulfilling the role of Secretary for the Executive Committee. With over 15 years of industry expertise, I am dedicated to advancing IPATA’s objectives and supporting its ongoing efforts in animal welfare and industry excellence.
DIRECTOR OF TRAVEL OPERATIONS
Where are you from? Ft. Worth, TX
What’s your job title and what does that entail? Director – Helping to ensure the company runs as smooth as possible.
What’s your favorite part of your job? Assisting clients get their furry family members home and New Business Development.
Do you have any pets currently? Orange Tabby and a Golden Retriever
What’s a fun fact about yourself? I train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why? Amsterdam – It’s a beautiful city, has great food and a melting pot of people.
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Where are you from? A tiny town in Southern Illinois called Nashville.
What’s your job title and what does that entail? Operations Manager – I oversee day to day operations and make sure everything is running smoothly. If issues arise, I work with the team to get things straightened out and back on track. My main focus is happy clients, a happy team, and safe moves.
What’s your favorite part of your job? I love seeing all the happy reunions and especially love when we have the opportunity to have a furry traveler pop in for a visit!
Do you have any pets currently? I currently have 2 cats but am a dog person at heart.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I’m in love with the ocean. My retirement plan is to buy a sailboat and sail around the Caribbean.
Favorite place you have visited and why? I was previously a travel agent for 16 years and visited so many wonderful places that it is hard to pick just one! If I had to choose, I’d say Costa Rica. The wildlife is so diverse and abundant. The people are very warm and welcoming. They also have the most delicious fish tacos I’ve ever had!
TRANSPORTATION SUPERVISOR
Where are you from? Born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. Going from the smallest state in the country to one of the largest has been quite an adjustment, but I love it so far!
What’s your job title and what does that entail? I’m the Transportation Supervisor. I help ensure that your loved ones make it from Point A to Point B safely and promptly. Their well-being is of utmost importance to me, and I care for each one as if they were my own!
What’s your favorite part of your job? Favorite part of my job is without a doubt seeing pets reunite with their families! The excited tail wags and loud meows put a smile not just on the owner’s face, but mine as well.
Do you have any pets currently? I have 3 cats and 1 dog of my own! My cats Sam, Renly, and Oberyn are all boys and made the journey with me all the way from Rhode Island. Meera is my sweet girl that I adopted after moving to Texas.
What’s a fun fact about yourself? I’m a huge film and TV guy. I log and sometimes write reviews for everything that I watch. Half of my brain is filled with useless movie knowledge that is only ever put to use at a bar trivia night.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why? Vermont! A few years back my friends and I rented a cabin in the woods for the weekend, and it’s one I’ll never forget. The scenery alone makes it worth the visit.
PET TRAVEL CONSULTANT
Where are you from? Bedford, Texas.
What is your job title and what does it entail? I am a Pet Travel Consultant. My job mostly entails speaking with clients as their initial point of contact, providing estimates, as well as collecting initial documentation and moving them forward to our Move Coordinators.
What’s your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job would have to be the work environment. Our management team provides a supportive, flexible, and efficient atmosphere.
Do you have any pets currently? Yes, I have 2 dogs..Butterball who is an Australian Cattle Dog, and her puppy Leo who is half Australian Cattle Dog, half American Staffordshire Terrier.
What is a fun fact about yourself? I love the outdoors and spend lots of time hiking, playing sports, or traveling.
Favorite place you have visited and why? My favorite place I have visited would have to be New York City. The ease of transit and diversity in different areas makes it feel like a new city on every block.
PET TRAVEL CONSULTANT
Where are you from? Irving, TX
What’s your job title and what does that entail? I am a Pet Travel Consultant. The main job that I do is being the first point of contact for new clients, providing estimates and general customer service.
What’s your favorite part of your job? Talking with new people about their pets and working with my amazing team.
Do you have any pets currently? Absolutely! I have 4 cats- Simon, Merlin, Jett, and Drax. I also have 3 Chinchillas- Rosalina, Luma, and Palutena. I’m hoping to have a dog or 2 soon as well!
What is a fun fact about yourself? I love to go out and do things with people. Whether it’s an anime convention, the opera, the movies, or just a dinner, I am there.
Favorite place you have visited and why? I’ve seen so many cool places that it’s hard to pick one but the most memorable would be Japan. The food and shopping there is amazing. My second favorite place would be Hawaii, the views there just can’t be beat.
PET TRAVEL CONSULTANT
Where are you from? Mexico City, Mexico.
What is your job title and what does it entail? Pet Travel Consultant
What’s your favorite part of your job? Being around like-minded people.
Do you have any pets currently? I have 2 dogs
What is a fun fact about yourself? I’ve been obsessed with space since I was a child. Would never visit.
Favorite place you have visited and why? Los Angeles because of the diversity in food and culture.
MOVE COORDINATOR
Where are you from? Erie, PA.
What’s your job title and what does that entail? Move Coordinator – logistics and management of relocations.
What’s your favorite part of your job? Seeing photos and receiving updates of client pets.
Do you have any pets currently? Yes, “Booger” (Mini Poodle X).
What’s a fun fact about yourself? I have a total of 11 siblings.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why? Niagara Falls, NY – it’s simply beautiful!
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Franklin, North Carolina!
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Flex driver-on ground transport or pet nanny for flights. I make sure your loved ones get form point A to B safely.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Meeting all the different fur babies!
Do you have any pets currently?
4 cats (Sammy, Max, Leo and Casper) and a Corgi (Bella).
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I petted a kangaroo once.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
NASA because I would love to either live on the Moon or Mars – fingers crossed I get to see it in my lifetime.
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Houston, TX.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Ground Transportation, Houston, TX.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of this job is meeting all the different owners as well as their pets. I especially like road tripping with pets.
Do you have any pets currently?
Currently, I only have fish and my pet eel.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I am a retired teacher and football coach of 35 years.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
I enjoy any beach setting, but my favorite trip was a European trip to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Born in Winchester England and relocated to Dallas Texas in December 1989.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Pet transportation within the domestic US. This includes driving pets to/from customer homes, delivery and pickup of pets from international and domestic airlines. Additionally, I provide air pet escorts, meeting the owners at airports and accompanying their pets in cabin aboard the flight to their destination where they are handed over to family members.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The meeting and caring of the pets that I provide transport for, as each one has its own unique personality.
Do you have any pets currently?
Yes, I have Bentley, he is a wonderful 13 year old black lab/retriever mix.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I have a pilot’s license and love to fly as much as I can.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
I have travelled the world and have been lucky to travel to all seven continents. My two favorite places so far are Tanzania to experience the great migration on the Serengeti game reserve. And Antarctica to experience the wonderful scenery and abundant wildlife.
MOVE COORDINATOR ASSISTANT
Where are you from? Fort Worth, Texas.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Move Coordinator Assistant. I assist the move coordinators to help lighten their workload and to help achieve a smooth handoff between the travel consultants to the coordinators.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I have a passion for helping others and love seeing a task through to completion.
Do you have any pets currently?
Yes! I have one 12 year old Korat cat.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
By the time I turned 25 I visited 16 countries.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
Mykonos, Greece- the views are incredible and the food is AMAZING. Also Tenerife, Spain- We did so many fun excursions there and Spain has some of the best beaches in the world.
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Nebraska.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Flex driver, pick up and take pets to and from airport and customer.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
Delivering pets to their owners.
Do you have any pets currently?
Not at this time. Recently I moved and just got fence installed, so won’t be much longer before I get another dog or two.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
Recently retired and enjoying a slower pace of life
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
Hawaii, 40th Anniversary ( renewed vows ).
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Houston, TX.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Ground Transportation, Houston, TX.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of this job is meeting all the different owners as well as their pets. I especially like road tripping with pets.
Do you have any pets currently?
Currently, I only have fish and my pet eel.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I am a retired teacher and football coach of 35 years.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
I enjoy any beach setting, but my favorite trip was a European trip to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
FLEX-DRIVER
Where are you from? Born in Winchester England and relocated to Dallas Texas in December 1989.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Pet transportation within the domestic US. This includes driving pets to/from customer homes, delivery and pickup of pets from international and domestic airlines. Additionally, I provide air pet escorts, meeting the owners at airports and accompanying their pets in cabin aboard the flight to their destination where they are handed over to family members.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
The meeting and caring of the pets that I provide transport for, as each one has its own unique personality.
Do you have any pets currently?
Yes, I have Bentley, he is a wonderful 13 year old black lab/retriever mix.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
I have a pilot’s license and love to fly as much as I can.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
I have travelled the world and have been lucky to travel to all seven continents. My two favorite places so far are Tanzania to experience the great migration on the Serengeti game reserve. And Antarctica to experience the wonderful scenery and abundant wildlife.
MOVE COORDINATOR ASSISTANT
Where are you from? Fort Worth, Texas.
What’s your job title and what does that entail?
Move Coordinator Assistant. I assist the move coordinators to help lighten their workload and to help achieve a smooth handoff between the travel consultants to the coordinators.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I have a passion for helping others and love seeing a task through to completion.
Do you have any pets currently?
Yes! I have one 12 year old Korat cat.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
By the time I turned 25 I visited 16 countries.
Favorite place you’ve visited and why?
Mykonos, Greece- the views are incredible and the food is AMAZING. Also Tenerife, Spain- We did so many fun excursions there and Spain has some of the best beaches in the world.
Don’t just take our word for it, checkout what all of these happy travelers have to say about their pet flights with Airpets International.
Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2024 AirPets International
Sign up for our newsletter and get pawsome news, blogs, and updates delivered to your inbox every month.
We would like to warn our clients about pet scams. If someone has reached out to you claiming to be from Airpets International or claiming to have partnered with Airpets International in regards to selling puppies, it is a scam. Airpets International does NOT sell animals. LEARN MORE