08/14/2026
Here's something I never imagined when I walked in the doors of Travel Management (162 Water St, St John's) back in 1997...being nominated as a finalist for the Most Admired Advisor Award (Canada) through the global partnership of Virtuoso.
I have always stated I owe my career to the Travel Management team and owner as it was there I met the best advisors in the business. I was able to soak up their experience, knowledge and passion for a business that we as advisors have very little control over. The office ran the board on offshore crew rotations, corporate air around the world, cruises, guided vacations, independant travel, Disney Theme Parks and how to manage them with ease. I am thankful for working along side Gail Rendell, Bonnie Courish, Bonnie Duke (Chan), Deborah Noseworthy, Beverly Mitchell, Colleen Williams (Tee), Charlie Fowler, Rayleen Williams, Jill Bursey, Lori O'Brien and the other staff. Also a big thank you to Earl Howell for taking the chance on hiring me and showing me what it meant to provide service to the traveller.
Because of Travel Management, I was able to take a huge leap of faith and branch out on my own in 2008 by becoming an independant advisor of Trevello Travel. The past 18 years has been an amazing journey with my clients placing their trust in me to create memorable experiences, meeting some amazing suppliers that have opened more the world to me, such as Alison May from Wilderness, who has allowed me to experience some amazing safari camps and of course Virtuoso Travel where the partnerships are created that drive the passion of managing travel.
Of course none of this would be possible without the support of my family. Maureen Cullinane who is my bucketlist partner for 30 years, completely understanding when I have to go on a "work trip"/fam alone and the love of my life. My boys Josh, Noah and Matthew that have "grabbed the rope" when we announced our next adventure. Thank you is not enough to the 4 of you have stood by my side as I continue building my travel business!
Tonight in Las Vegas at the Virtuoso Travel Week Gala the winners of the various awards will be announced. For me just being nominated is a win and to the person that nominated me...maybe one day I will know who you are...but for now I am truly grateful.