PROFESSIONAL & PASSIONATE TRAVELER

MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

As a seasoned professional in my field, I have been in love with travel since my teen years. My wanderlust led me to enroll in a travel agents course at a local college in 1995. Soon after, I began working at American Airlines Vacations, which launched my career in the travel industry. I then worked for Williams Travel Service, facilitating corporate travel for over 500 employees. Five years later, I transitioned over to WorldTravel, an agency based in Tulsa, where I established a niche market clientele of high-end luxury leisure travelers. While at World, I was recognized as one of the top 25 travel agents in the United States in 2013 by Travel Agent Magazine. 

After my 10 years of experience at World, I was hired on as an independent travel advisor with Virtuoso Member Protravel International (now Global Travel Collection), one of the leading travel agencies in America. Now based from Chicago and New York with worldwide connections, I continue to specialize in corporate and high-end luxury travel. In 2013, I established my own agency and luxury brand, JSO Travel, and continue to work in partnership with Global Travel Collection.

I take great pride in servicing my clients with excellence and concierge service. Clients know they can contact me or our after-hours service anytime before, during, or after their trip to troubleshoot any problems as they arise. My personal relationships with each vendor and my ability to negotiate rates enable me to create custom dream trips for any occasion. 

While I continue to make my home in my native state of Oklahoma, I travel quite frequently with my lovely wife Mica. We love adventurous road trips, warm beaches, and historical tours.

HONORS & AWARDS

• Top 25 Travel Advisors in the Nation with Travel Agent Magazine (2013)

• Hy-Achiever Award from Hyatt Hotels & Resorts (Top Producer in ProTravel Network 2015)

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Travel Associate (CTA)

• Tawash Qatar Certified, Qatar National Tourism Council (2019)

• Jordan Travel Specialist, Jordan Ministry of Tourism (2019)

MY PERSONAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

I've been a passionate traveler for more than 15 years and have enjoyed the deep culture, history, and exotic foods from a variety of destinations. As a travel professional, I've been actively engaged in the art of travel, commuting both by land and sea from cruise ships to a car on the open road. My wanderlust has taken me to 4 different continents and more than 20 countries including Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, Canada, and the Philippines. After a two-year hiatus from travel during the pandemic era, I am looking forward to reconnecting with vendors, hoteliers, airlines, and tour operators across the world through face-to-face interaction and on-the-ground travel.

MEET THE REST OF MY JSO TRAVEL TEAM

I’m thankful to have my wife, Mica, as my online content brand manager. Mica spent her teen years living abroad in Europe and enjoys international travel as much as I do. She is a 2003 graduate of Oral Roberts University and holds a B.S. in Mass Media Communications and Print Journalism. As a professional writer/editor and owner of her own small creative agency, Mica has come alongside my in-house team to bring her unique communications and cross-cultural skills to the JSO Travel brand. She is a member of the International Travel Writers Alliance and Evangelical Press Association and is responsible for our website development, email marketing, blog writing, digital publishing, social media management, and on-location photography. She accompanies me on my field and research trips, assisting in crafting the travel destination narratives our clients and followers so enjoy.

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