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Meet Our Staff

Managers | Travel Specialists | Supporting Staff

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9 Staff Members Found

Maureen Ellul

Cruise & Tour Vacations

Travel background: In 1993, I parlayed my love of history and adventure into a profession as a travel consultant, and in 1996, I joined the talented team at Carol's Travel Service. Since then, I've taken a wide variety of trips by land and sea, and I've kept my skills sharp by earning certifications with many destinations and cruise lines. Whenever I go anywhere in the world, I read about it first and immerse myself in its uniqueness, which ultimately allows me to share valuable insights with my clients.

Favorite destinations: I love anything with adventure. Whether it's skiing, rafting, kayaking, or riding motorcycles, I enjoy going anywhere off the beaten path. For instance, in Costa Rica, I used public transportation and stayed in jungle lodges. And in Ireland, I stayed in a hotel where they wait to turn on the hot water until you say you want a shower. For me, part of the joy of travel is learning how to expect the unexpected, and I encourage clients to stay flexible and keep an open mind.

As a history buff, I love Germany, with its castles around every bend. My travels have also taken me to countless destinations in the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii "where my daughter lives" as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Belize, and Tahiti.

Favorite type of cruise: I'm a big fan of river cruises and have toured much of Europe in that fashion. The small size of the ships "usually about 100 passengers" allows an intimate look at a relatively small geographic area, with onboard naturalists who add depth to what you're seeing. Plus, seven-day river cruises are conducive to making friends with fellow passengers.

My place in Carol's Travel: As I work with clients to craft their trips, I paint a picture that's as real as possible for them. I help them understand that cultures are different from place to place, and other destinations aren't like home. As I listen to them and understand their expectations, I tell them about my own experiences, from my opinions about certain hotels to my thoughts on certain attractions and transportation options. All of those attributes combine to help me achieve my overall goal of exceptional customer service.

Contact Maureen via email -- click here.

Mary Goecking

Cruise & Tour Vacations & Destination Weddings

Travel background: I've always loved to travel, and one day I decided to make travel my career. Today, I visit places I never thought I'd see and experience wonders of the world I'd only read about. I've been with Carol's Travel Service for 12 years and love it. Thanks to my own travel experiences, I've learned how to make trips run as smoothly as possible for my clients, and I prepare them for the unexpected and encourage them to go with the flow to have a fun and exciting travel experience.

Favorite type of vacation to plan: For the last five years, I've been fortunate to plan my passion: destination weddings and destination honeymoons. I love working with the happy bride and groom. Planning the wedding trip is a thrilling time in their lives, and I get excited right along with them. The best part is when they send me pictures of their wedding and the beach, flowers, and ocean" after all the hard work is done. People like destination weddings because the bride and groom can spend plenty of time with family and friends, and everything is in one romantic, beautiful place.

How I help couples plan a destination wedding: Each couple is unique, and there's no better way to fashion their perfect destination wedding and honeymoon than to listen to them. For example, do they want to tie the knot in a church or say "I do" while walking barefoot on the beach? Do they want to relax, see the sights, or have an adventure? How large is their guest list and who's on it? The more they talk about their wishes and needs, the better I'm able to use my experience to come up with the right answer for them.

Destination specialty: Since I'm a beach person, I specialize in travel to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Hawaii. I can't wait to go to Tahiti and stay in an over-the-water bungalow. I love cruises, and some of my favorite trips have been to all-inclusive resorts such as Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort in the Bahamas because they emphasize relaxation and great service in beautiful settings. No matter where they go, my clients understand that I will do everything in my power to make their vacation exciting and memorable.

Contact Mary via email -- click here.

Angela Hutcherson

Leisure Travel

Travel background: I've been a leisure travel agent since 1981, and I've been with Carol's Travel Service for two years. I had previously worked for United Airlines, so I've always been in the travel business.

Travel specialty: Leisure travel of all kinds -- custom travel, cruise vacations, and motor coach tours to places like Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas, or Europe. I love it all, but I especially enjoy planning European trips. Helping clients find the destination that matches their interests, budget, and time constraints is also fun and rewarding. Sometimes people don't know where they want to go or what they want to do, so we get to be creative. We travel the world here at Carol's Travel Service, which is what I love -- there are no limits to what we can do for clients.

Favorite destination: If I had to pick just one, it would have to be Italy. I went for the first time 20 years ago and have railed and motor coached across the country. I love the culture and the people. The basilicas and chapels are beautiful, and the Amalfi coast is simply stunning. Mexico is also a favorite because the weather in the winter is quite a change from Chicago. I enjoy the sunny beaches of Acapulco, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Xihuataneo.

Destination I'd like to travel to next: I've always wanted to go to Thailand to see the beauty of Angkor Wat. Thailand's culture and people fascinate me, and many of my clients have had a wonderful time there and said good things about it. I also want to go to South Africa on safari to see those majestic animals in their natural surroundings. I can't wait.

Contact Angela via email -- click here.

Dell Kasuk

Sales Support

Areas of Expertise:

Areas of expertise: I bring my organizational and creative skills to Carolâ€™s Travel Service, working to ensure the office is stocked with thousands of travel brochures and handling many other clerical needs. More often than not, Iâ€™m the one greeting you when you first call us.

Contact Dell via email -- click here.

Carol Lekki

President, CTC, MCC, DS

Inspiration for starting Carol's Travel: Since I began working as a travel consultant in 1976, I've learned that the world is our playground. It seems at times like such a small place, with so many similarities between faraway lands. At the same time, the world holds a tremendous diversity in culture, history, and lifestyles.

From that day in 1980, when I opened Carol's Travel Service, to the present, I have operated under the philosophy that everyone has his or her place in the grand scheme of things. We are tremendously lucky to visit such amazing destinations and to return home to so many riches.

I've worked hard over the years to keep myself keyed into the trends and changes in the industry, earning qualifications such as Certified Travel Consultant from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents and Master Cruise Counselor from the Cruise Lines International Association. The years have taught me how to turn on a dime and adapt to whatever comes my way, which is an important talent in this ever-evolving profession.

Planning specialty: While I am actively involved in all phases of the business, I focus on group sales for cruises, escorted tours, packages, and customized itineraries. I plan trips for groups of 20 to 400, including family reunions, association travel, clubs, alumni, and special interest groups. Since I have completed many century bike rides, marathons, and triathlons, I stay involved with our endurance sports groups and adventure travelers. Each group has its own personality, and I strive to deliver the experience they're looking for, whether it's a gathering of 15 or 150.

Personal favorite destinations: When I travel for leisure, my favorite trips are those that bring me into the great outdoors. As an Alaska Destination Specialist and Backroads Inside Track Specialist, I believe there's no better way to see and feel a destination than to experience it up close and personal.

Whether I'm hiking, horseback riding, or biking, I can see things I'd never come in contact with otherwise. It's no wonder that some of my travel highlights have included river rafting in southern Montana, biking all the way around the Big Island of Hawaii, and navigating a motor cruiser around the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. I'm a big fan of exotic destinations such as East and South Africa and the Galapagos. I love the game drive, and I enjoy the history of Europe, with its small cobblestone roads, age-old buildings, and slower pace of life.

Contact Carol via email -- click here.

Dan Lekki

Vice President

Areas of Expertise:

Travel background: Travel is in my blood. As Carol's son, I basically grew up in the travel industry, and I have always loved going to new places and experiencing other cultures.

My place in Carol's Travel: Since joining Carol's Travel Service in 1999, I have dedicated myself to handling most of the day-to-day administration and operations of the agency, as well as marketing and promotions. Having majored in public relations, I consider myself a people person. I enjoy making personal connections with customers and exploring new avenues of business for the agency. I also get a great deal of satisfaction out of representing the company through my everyday contact with vendors and potential clients.

Best advice for travelers: When people talk with me about travel, I always advise them to step outside of the box and explore the unknown during their trips rather than confine themselves to a rigid agenda. For instance, in Hawaii, my favorite place for a vacation, I like to get in the car, drive around, and look for activities, restaurants, and experiences that are off the beaten path. I have applied that theory to experiences around the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and South America, and it always rewards me with little surprises and big memories.

Greatest strength: At Carol's Travel Service, it's the team that is our greatest strength. Over the years, I've come to appreciate the high level of service that our travel consultants provide for their clients. The team at Carol's Travel strives to be everything to everyone. When you combine the knowledge and experience of the various members of our staff, it results in a world of resources for the people we assist.

Contact Dan via email -- click here.

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