A stellar team who truly care

Jean Warneke, CTC*

Jean Kelly Warneke has suffered from wanderlust since childhood. Her father's profession took the family all over the US and by the time she graduated from high school, she'd attended 15 schools. Having visited all 50 states, she is now in the process of traveling to all of the world's countries and territories.

Jean has worked in the travel industry since her college days and has done it all – retail travel agent, tour manager, receptive operator, meeting planner, conventions - she even has been known to do airport transfers!

She has a B.A. in Geerman and Spanish, both of which she speaks quite well, and has been a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) since 1986. Jean has also earned the designation of Panama Travel Specialist. Jean is based in Austin, Texas.
 

 Photo: Los Quetzales Trail, Volcan, Panama

Barbara Baggett, CTC*

At the age of 10, Barbara’s parents took her to South America to visit her sister. Another world filled with llamas, prop-planes, iguanas & native peoples, opened her senses and sparked a passion for new experiences. During the ensuing years she has hiked, scuba dived, birdwatched, safaried, and ate her way through over 30 countries. She finds great enjoyment in the diversity of the words people and wild places.

Barbara has more than 20 years work experience in the travel business, including work with specialty companies promoting scuba diving, Mexico & Central America and bird watching. She received her Certified Travel Counselor credential in 1992; she is a Certified Panama Travel Specialist and Africa Destination Specialist. Barbara also has a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Environmental Management, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.

                                                                                                                                                              Photo: Trail, Cinque Terre, Italy

Our planet's wealth of culture and unspoiled wild places are a siren’s call to Barbara. Her intention is to facilitate memorable vacations that will support and sustain the world's treasures. And to inspire people to enrich their lives through travel; traveling with an open mind, a gentle heart, a light step and a curious nature. Barbara is  based in Austin, Texas.                                                                                     

Laurie Foss

Laurie Foss started birding in 1971 at the urging of her high school science teacher in Wisconsin. Since moving to Austin in 2003 she has discovered the joys of Hill Country birds and birding. A member of Travis Audubon and a Board Member of the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR, as well as other local, state and national birding organizations, Laurie is active leading field trips, teaching birding classes, traveling to see birds and working for habitat conservation.

Laurie brings her scientific and technical expertise to JB Journeys, in her role as the Sustainable Tourism Specialist. She monitors, researches and develops programs that ensure JB Journeys' Sustainable Tourism best practices.

Steve Bartolomeo

Artist and web-designer and all around taskmaster

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) Stephen Bartolomeo's life ought to be a model for us all. He has overcome numerous difficulties to arrive at his well-acclaimed status. Born in the dusty and remote town of Lake Jackson, Texas, in 1957, he had a mediocre and uneventful childhood until the age of 6 when what can only be described as a bizarre and uneventful accident forever changed the course of his life. One afternoon while walking his dog," rocket”, he was grazed by a falling wheel from a DC-10 airliner. He escaped unscathed and except for a small bump on his head and in severe aversion to burnt rubber. His dog Rocket, however, was not so lucky.... SunDogDesign.net

Bob Warneke

Although most days are spent in an office or courtroom, Bob considers himself a conservationist first. He is the son of one of the few career military men whose family was never stationed in an exotic land. It was only by the great fortune of marrying a travel agent, that the world opened up for him. When possible he accompanies Jean on her travels. Hiking, birding, and kayaking are his favorites; indeed the outdoors are great.

By profession Bob is an attorney with a specialty in legal and judicial ethics. He also serves on the board of the American Birding Association, Rainforest Partnership, Texas Conservation Alliance, and is president of the Malcolm C. Damuth Foundation, a small but effective group who work to save habitat for endangered species. Bob has a B.A. and M.S. in biology as well as a J.D.                                                               Photo: Amboseli Lodge, Kenya

*What is a CTC?

A CTC is a Certified Travel Counselor, an individual who has completed a program of rigorous training and testing, and has at least five year’s professional travel experience. CTCs must continue their professional education and remain current on industry trends in order to maintain their certification. CTCs are the only group within the travel industry that meets such high standards…on average, they represent the industry’s highest degree of professionalism.