FOX - Key Persons
Chris Mahnken, also a fan of travel in general, and Disney in particular, has an extensive background in the computer and graphic design industries. Chris and Beci recognized the power of the Internet early on and went to work to design the first version of Beci's website. Soon after the site went live it became so successful that Beci began to provide leads to other independent contractors who booked through the mutual host agency. The web site rapidly became a huge success, and in 2000 it was recognized as the "Best Travel Website" by Travel Age West magazine.
Early In 2001, Beci added her first Disney exclusive web site. She shared her customer service knowledge and provided training and sales tools to other agents. With Beci's leadership, the new site was providing over fifty percent of the agency's total business within a year!
By 2004, in an arrangement dating back to the fall of 2001, Beci had purchased a majority share of her host agency. Later that year she was recognized by Travel + Leisure Magazine as the Super A-List Agent for Disney destinations. All the while the agency continued to grow by leaps and bounds. In 2005, Beci sold her shares to her former business partner and along with Chris, struck out on her own.
Karen Natkin was bitten by the travel bug in high school with her first trip to France. Ever since then, she has loved to travel. Karen has visited over 22 different countries and islands throughout Europe, Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Her first cruise to Alaska cemented her love of cruising and of Alaska. When her children were young, she became addicted to all things Disney. Now that her children are older, they enjoy adventuring to other countries to learn about their history and culture.
Meghan Hayes is a born and bred Georgia girl. She grew up in the Atlanta area, but she now lives in a small town outside Athens, GA (home of the Georgia Bulldogs) with her husband and ever-growing crew of cats, dogs, and farm animals. She is an avid reader, fountain pen enthusiast, and Disney fangirl.
Meghan has been in the travel industry for eight years now. She loves to craft memories for her clients and get to know what makes them tick, and she has the industry knowledge to do so.
Job Titles:
- Designated an Authorized Disney Travel Planner
Our founder, Rebekah (Beci) Mahnken, began her travel career after 10 years of Customer Relations Management in the software industry. She has a passion for travel, cruising, and thanks to her father, she developed a special love for all things Disney. After a less then satisfying experience with a local agency, Beci recognized the need for a premium service agency, and decided to put her customer service background and travel experience to work. MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel® are the result.
In 1998, Beci joined a small local travel agency as an Independent Contractor. Beci used the Internet and took courses with various industry associations to learn the ropes. And Mahnken Enterprises Inc/MEI-Travel was born!