ATJ - Key Persons
A Colorado native, Allie went to school in Washington state before moving to Japan for 7 years. During that time she traveled all around Japan and south-east Asia. Her favorite country (aside from Japan) is Vietnam. The Rocky Mountains eventually called her back home and she's been in Colorado ever since. When she's not traveling, Allie enjoys hiking, cooking, writing and listening to podcasts.
Arianna was born in Wisconsin, growing up on a small, rural horse farm. Her first introduction into solo international travel was her time spent studying abroad in Tasmania, Australia while attending Iowa State University. She explored all around the mainland Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, and Thailand. Falling in love with traveling from being abroad alongside wanting to support her Afghan Asian identity, these have helped shape her newly found passion for learning about and traveling to Asian countries.
Born in Colorado and raised with a mix of Norwegian and French culture, Camille's passion for exploring the world began early. She lived in Japan for three years after graduating with a B.A. in Theater and Psychology. She is particularly fascinated by the arts and how much they vary from region to region. In her down time, you can find Camille reading in cafes, dancing, or at the airport.
Cara is an avid traveler and photographer originally from Indiana whose love for exploration has taken her to breathtaking destinations across the globe. While living in Japan for three years, she had the opportunity to immerse herself in the local culture and embark on memorable adventures in neighboring countries like Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan. This life-changing experience, coupled with her Filipino and Hawaiian heritage, has profoundly shaped her worldview, and fostered a deep appreciation for the vibrant tapestry of Asian cultures that have been an integral part of her upbringing.
When Cara isn't traveling, you'll often find her taking in the stunning landscapes of Colorado with her trusty camera in hand, jamming to live music, and connecting with her friends through video games.
Chencho Tshering is a native Bhutanese whose guiding experience spans two decades. He received formal training as a guide for two years in Singapore, and when Bhutan's travel industry was privatized his enthusiastic entrepreneurial spirit took hold.
He decided to pursue his passion and put his vast experience to work and became one of the country's most sought-after guides. He has since been escorting groups of different nationalities all over the country. Chencho's engaging personality and deep knowledge of Bhutanese history, religion and art make him an incomparable guide in his beloved homeland.
We're so proud and honored to announce that one of our Travel Experts, Rebecca Mazzaro has been selected by Condé Nast Traveler as a Top Travel Specialist for her expertise in Japan.
Dan is a Boulder native who studied business at the University of Colorado. Before joining the team at ATJ, he worked for a local Colorado-based restaurant group for 17 years, the latter half of which he spent rising the ranks through the accounting department before becoming Controller.
Although he (not-so) secretly enjoys being buried in spreadsheets, his true passions are cooking, gardening, golfing, and traveling. He can't wait to get back to Vietnam, hopefully with a stop in Japan along the way.
Dominic Tulo was born in Namatanai, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea. He has lived in Papua New Guinea his entire life and currently lives in Rabaul with his wife and children. He graduated with a diploma in Tourism & Hospitality Management from the Divine Word University in Madang in 2002. After graduating he joined the most prominent tour company in Papua New Guinea learning about the operations, the unique cultural and tribal diversity, the landscapes, guides, hotels, and how it all fits together. His passion and work have always been in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. He now has over 20 years of experience and is a trusted favorite Tour Leader. Dominic enjoys greeting travelers and showing them his unique country when not with his family and friends.
He has worked with key organizations and businesses like the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority, Air Niugini, Melanesian Tourist Services, and Trans Niugini Tours, as well as with hotels as Sales and Marketing Manager, Food and Beverage Manager and the list goes on.
Dominic has also had a fair bit of business travel experience overseas including the Philippines, Australia, Hawaii, Vanuatu, and Washington D.C. He also traveled to China right before covid. Dominic is a certified national tour guide, and national tour guide trainer by the World Federation of Tourist Guides Association so he has quite a bit of knowledge and experience. He is often looked up to as a mentor and a friend in the industry.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Co - Owner
Donna displayed a knack for numbers early on, which was honed with a B.S Degree in Accounting from CU - Boulder. She crunched digits for Moguls Mountain Travel as Controller and at a Boulder law firm as Financial Manager before seizing the accounting reigns at ATJ. She has her brown belt in Thai kickboxing, so keep your hands out of the till.
Job Titles:
- Director of Travel & Co - Owner
Eric's knowledge of Asia borders on the encyclopedic-he has twice been named a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist. He holds a degree from the University of Colorado in International Affairs with an emphasis on Western Europe.
He was a guide in Europe, then joined ATJ in 1993 and has since traveled extensively throughout the region. Eric was raised in the arid Colorado River valley and reared on National Geographic, periodic family trips to Mexico, and Asian cuisine.
Ginger grew up in Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana, fond of creole cuisine and the region's rich cultural landscape. As newlyweds, she and her husband moved to Washington D.C. where Ginger's sense of adventure was sated by visiting the city's numerous museums and landmarks-at least until she and her family decided it was time to "go west" and moved to Colorado.
Ginger brings to ATJ her many years of experience in the hospitality industry and an innate knack for making travel arrangements seem effortless. She's eager to expand her knowledge of the cultures of Asia and the Pacific and to embrace the next adventure on the horizon.
Jan's introduction to Asia began with a 4-month world trip with her brother visiting Thailand and India in 1983. Upon returning to the U.S., she attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, earning a graduate degree in library science. After a short stint at the University of New Mexico, she moved to Switzerland and worked at the Hauptbibliothek Universitaet Zurich-Irchel for over 12 years. She's traveled extensively throughout Europe (Italy, Germany, Austria, France, The Netherlands, Greece, and England), Africa (Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania where she ascended the Kilimanjaro), and Asia (Indonesia, multiple visits to The Philippines, Bhutan, Hong Kong and Nepal trekking to the Annapurna Base Camp). The next stop will hopefully be New Zealand!
Currently, she is happily settled in Boulder where she enjoys walking around the Community Gardens and Wonderland Lake, riding her eBike around Boulder, and cooking delicious meals with her partner.
JANENE DIGREGORIO CTIE, AIR TRAVEL MANAGER Janene has been in the travel business for over 25 years. She's a Colorado native whose travels have taken her to far-flung places throughout Europe, Central America, South America and Africa. Cherished memories include awakening at dawn in Botswana to find a wild elephant walking out of the jungle towards her. When not exploring she may be found cooking for friends and family and hiking around the Flatirons.
K.R. Jairaj holds a Bachelors degree in Zoology and a Masters in Sociology from Calicut University, and a diploma in tourism from Annamalai University. A professional guide since 1989, he is sought after for his exceptional skill in imparting his deep knowledge of Indian history and fauna.
He has a knack for relating broad historical perspectives to everyday scenes that travelers encounter, making for rich and insightful discussions. Jairaj is also an avid photographer, and delights in giving travelers insider tips on the best angle and light. His wonderfully hospitable personality and natural kindness make him a favorite with visitors and local staff alike.
Job Titles:
- CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
- Co - Owner
Kirsten grew up in our nation's capital, dreaming of places far and away. After landed in Papua New Guinea to participate in a grassroots organization studying women and small businesses, Kirsten was hooked on travel for good. Kirsten created and received the first Cultural Studies Bachelor of Arts at Keene State College in New Hampshire and has gone on to travel extensively throughout four continents.
Padmaja Bharti holds a Master's Degree in International Relations and an MBA. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at the Centre for American and West European studies. She is formally trained in Indian classical music, ancient, medieval and modern Indian history, contemporary world history, Indian philosophy, geography and politics.
Padmaja is a certified guide, and has been leading tours around India for a decade. In addition to her keen intelligence, she possesses a gracious yet bold character, rare among women in India. An enlightened, insightful perspective informs her in-depth discussions on a wide range of culturally sensitive issues. Her impeccable skills and knowledge ensure a wonderful journey through India.
Australian Suzanne Noakes has been traveling in Melanesia for the last two decades, leading trips in Papua New Guinea for private groups, university alumni and conservation associations, and has developed a deep understanding of PNG's people, culture, language, flora and fauna.
She owns a tourism policy company that lobbies overseas governments to alleviate poverty through tourism initiatives, and is pursuing her master's degree in this field. She sponsors such initiatives as the Karawari coconut soap press, teacher scholarships and improved water collection projects within the Milne Bay region. Her expertise, energy, rapport with the local people and warm personal style receives the highest praise from our travelers, making Suzanne an unsurpassed Tour Leader in the Land of the Last Unknown.
A native of Croatia, Tamara is now a Boulderite through and through. After receiving an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of California at Davis, where she garnered multiple academic awards and scholarships, Tamara found herself drawn to the health and environmentally conscious culture of Boulder.
Job Titles:
- TRAVEL COORDINATOR
- Retired Air Force Officer
Warren is a retired Air Force officer who has traveled extensively in various locations throughout the world. He spent over five years stationed in Australia and the United Kingdom which provided ample opportunity to interact with residents and explore local cultures. Since his retirement, he and his wife have continued to explore the world by vacationing in Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and North America. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased, he has traveled to the Caribbean, Hawaii and Western Europe, and has plans to cruise in the South Pacific and North Atlantic.
Warren's hobbies include hiking in the Rocky Mountains and off-roading in his Jeep Wrangler with his wife of over 50 years. There is still a lot of world to explore!