Why Experience Matters.
Meet the Travel Concierge Team
In 2020 — when dreams were fading and people were distancing — Jeff Lavender had the vision to bring a select group of people together for the sole purpose of dreaming even bigger. It was a risky move, but one he believed in, to the point he picked up the phone and asked the one question no one was asking: “Do you still believe in travel?”
On the other line were Kristine Potter, Madelyn Reyes, Jean-Marc Le Doux, Vickie Ludlow, and Marlise Kast-Myers. All five were world travelers, each bringing a specific skill set to the table that Jeff desired for his budding venture. Together, they stacked hands, knowing that there is strength in unity, magic in collaboration, and harmony in teamwork. Even when breaking news told them otherwise, they held firm and pressed forward, building a brand they believed in . . . one that has taken clients around the world when they needed it most.
Why is it important that you know the team behind Travel Concierge?
Because experience matters.
Jeff Lavender
Founder & Chief Experience Officer
As a 30-year travel industry veteran, Jeff credits his humble beginning to his childhood, when at the age of 12, he booked his Boy Scout Troop on a one-day adventure to the zoo. That passion never dwindled. Fast forward to Jeff’s award-winning pedigree.
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He has had a global career at the helm of renowned companies including Travelocity, Amadeus, Sabre, Galileo France, Travel Impressions, Avoya Travel, and Key Travel. Now leading Travel Concierge by Jeff Lavender, he has merged the culmination of those successful endeavors under one umbrella. Here he delivers great experiences to amazing clients, gifting each one with a once-in-a-lifetime journey that leaves an imprint on their souls.
For Jeff, a life without travel is incomplete. He believes that travel has the power to change us, delight us, and evolve us in a way that nothing else can. It has the ability to teach respect, gratitude, and compassion — stretching us far beyond the destination itself, to an echelon where impact is made by the culture. Whether that be the strangers-turned-friends within the destination, or the like-minded travelers we meet along the way, Jeff considers these global comrades to be among the primary rewards of exploration.
After visiting 60 countries, he certainly has plenty of international friends, with whom he shares his passion for wine, cheese, and more wine . . . a love that he clings to after spending several years in the south of France. It was there that he learned the importance of shared meals between friends, and the fact that it's perfectly fine to lose track of time around the table. This European launching point also showed him that the world is rather small, taking him to such vibrant cities as Sevilla, Spain — the birthplace of flamenco dancing.
“I was astonished by the energy and skill that came off that stage,” Jeff recalls. “Plus, it inspired me to stay fit and someday pour myself into men’s flamenco pants!”
In true Jeff Lavender fashion, he continues to host five-course dinners from his San Diego home, and has also adopted the SoCal tradition of staying fit, taking daily walks with his beloved dachshund, and toasting to his next dream destination of Antarctica. Squeezing into those flamenco pants is still to be determined. Until then, he is fully embracing this new era of travel with boundless vision and purpose.
Kristine Potter
Head of Marketing & Partner Strategy
After 10 years of marketing for a Fortune 500 fashion brand, Kris joined US Airways Vacations as VP. She was later commissioned as VP of Marketing and eCommerce for Apple Leisure Group (ALG), thus paving the way to her position with Travel Concierge.
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Here, Kris has inspired the team through comradery, collaboration, fun, and friendship — all while managing this talented tribe of travelers who thrive on creating mind-blowing global experiences.
Why is travel so important to her personally? In her words, “Travel adds so much more meaning and depth to my life. I love reading about a country, a historical site, a hotel, or a restaurant and being able to personally connect with it.”
She’ll admit that James Bond films inspired her to visit the Amalfi Coast, and Casablanca nudged her all the way to Morocco. It's in these faraway lands that she has met some of her dearest friends. “The things they have shared and taught me are far beyond what I could have discovered in a book or on the big screen.”
To date, she and her husband have collected hundreds of pieces of art from around the world. Despite the momentos she has collected along the way, the greatest gifts are those embedded in her mind . . . an understanding that our world — with its different landscapes, cultures, and people — are so rich, warm, and breathtakingly beautiful. And while each of our own home countries may be strikingly colorful, “until you immerse yourself in another land, you can’t fully understand or appreciate it to its full vibrancy,” says Kris.
Where has this art-chasing traveler found some of her favorite color? In Cuba, she confesses, until recently when she laid eyes on Dubrovnik, Croatia. Now her goal is to return to this majestic country for longer than a cruise port-of-call.
Having marketed for some of the top companies in the U.S., today Kris regrets turning down dozens of international business trips in her 30’s because of one reason: a former fear of flying.
Guess what world? This powerhouse-of-a-woman has been cured, is flying fearlessly, and is soaring higher than she ever dreamed.
Madelyn Reyes
Client Engagement Manager
To say Madelyn’s role is to oversee client relations is an understatement. She is also a master of all things at Travel Concierge. Multitasking, reliability, positivity, organization, and excellent customer service are all skills that come naturally to Madelyn.
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She has over 28 years of travel experience, half of which were consumer-facing, with the other half focused on project management, marketing, and business partnerships.
Regardless of which hat Madelyn may be wearing, she always hangs it back on the travel rack, taking her to destinations like Waikiki for hiking, or Jamaica for relaxation.
Despite her fear of heights, she’ll always board a flight for new experiences, still chasing her dreams to tour through Europe and visit Spain, France, and Italy.
“Travel is so important,” says Madelyn, “to see how others live helps one become a well-rounded, cultural human being.”
What Madelyn has learned through her travels, she has shared with her children and is already planning a cross-country road trip for the near future. When she’s not working for Travel Concierge, she enjoys bike riding, playing tennis, and building her business as a licensed esthetician and professional makeup artist.
Marlise Kast-Myers
Content Manager
As a journalist and author, Marlise Kast-Myers has contributed to over 50 publications including Forbes, LA Times, Surfer, San Diego Magazine, and Union Tribune. In 2022, she was contracted by a leading news agency to provide travel features for over 600 newspapers across the U.S.
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Her passion for traveling has taken her to 85 countries and led her to short-term residency in Switzerland, Dominican Republic, Spain, and Costa Rica.
Before settling in Southern California, Marlise completed a 13-month surfing and snowboarding expedition through 28 countries. Following the release of her memoir, Tabloid Prodigy, Marlise appeared on CNN, FOX News, CNBC, The O’Reilly Factor, NPR, Good Morning America, and Entertainment Tonight.
In her capacity as a travel journalist, Marlise has co-authored over 30 Fodor’s Guides including books on Mexico, San Diego, Panama, Puerto Rico, Peru, Corsica, Sardinia, Vietnam, Los Cabos, and Costa Rica. She served as a photojournalist for Surf Guide to Costa Rica and authored Day Hikes and Overnights on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Now based in San Diego County, she lives at the Betty Crocker Estate with her husband Benjamin where the two run their antique business, Brick n Barn. In her free time, Marlise enjoys surfing, hiking, snowboarding, cooking, and tending to her farm animals. She is currently working on her next full-length manuscript while providing copywriting and marketing services for various clients . . .her favorite of course, being Travel Concierge by Jeff Lavender.
Vickie Ludlow
Client Experience Designer
After 15 years as a partner in a California-based REIT, Vickie formed the group department at Avoya, one of the nation's largest host agencies. Her industry experience has blessed us from day one. On any given day, Vickie will bypass umbrella cocktails and spa treatments for any travel that blends nature, adventure, adrenaline, and the great outdoors.
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Hiking, mountain biking, and snow skiing/shoeing, with a side of relaxing oil painting all tap into her love language of quality time. Along the way, she’s learned to leave preconceived expectations at home, and instead choose curiosity, goals, and faith. It’s that curiosity that had her chasing songs by Jimmy Buffett all the way to the Coast of Marseilles, Tahiti, Rio de Janeiro, St. Barts, and even Livingston, Montana.
Kathi Myers Couch
Client Experience Designer
What do parenting, teaching, and softball have to do with travel? If you’re Kathi Myers Couch, it has all the elements to make one heck of a Client Experience Designer. For Kathi, details matter and her countless life experiences have helped shape her for this important role at Travel Concierge.
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With a professional background as a mathematics instructor—and years working as an Administrative Manager and Head of Business Development at a CPA firm she co-founded—Kathi knows what it takes to stay one step ahead of the pack. As a mom to a special-needs son, she learned to live and plan proactively, thinking of ways to iron out any possible issues even before they occur. Scheduling, flexibility, and preparedness are all skillsets in her wheelhouse. She credits this awareness to her years as a “softball mom” traveling to-and-from countless tournaments in support of her daughter.
Parenting aside, Kathi is a traveler at heart, married to a man who enjoys exploring the great outdoors as much as possible. To date, some of their top trips include snorkeling in Iceland, cycling in Norway, hiking in Alaska, and the trifecta of kayaking in the Arctic, Galapagos and Antarctica.
All of this “training” has allowed Kathi to live out her passion to curate memorable journeys customized for each traveler. Why is this important? Because she clings to a perspective that each day is a gift from God, and it is our responsibility to steward our days to the fullest.
When not traveling or planning a client’s next trip, you can find Kathi involved with her small group Bible studies, cycling on rugged trails, or exploring the neighborhood with her family.
We couldn’t be more thrilled to have this talented woman on the Travel Concierge team. With Kathi at the forefront of travel planning, get ready to travel and make every moment count!
Rory Lavender
Sr. Director Operational Excellence
After spending the past several years in the tech world—specializing in integrations, project management, best practices, and the rapidly growing field of AI—Rory is excited to return to her roots in the travel industry, where her career first began. It turns out, once you’ve memorized airline codes, they never really leave you.
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Today, she’s proud to be part of Travel Concierge, a company founded by her husband, Jeff Lavender. Together, they share a passion for helping clients experience the world in ways that are meaningful, memorable, and deeply enriching. Her background in technology and operations allows Rory to bring a fresh perspective to how we deliver those experiences—combining innovation with the personal touch that defines everything we do.
Outside of work, Rory is happiest at home with Jeff and their beloved pets, who keep life full of love, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos. Whether it's planning the next great adventure or simply enjoying the everyday moments, she believes the journey matters just as much as the destination.
Jack DeGrasse
Client Experience Designer
Meet Jack, our newest team member. Jack specializes in crafting seamless, personalized travel experiences for high-profile individuals, families, and groups of all sizes. His portfolio includes everything from luxury cruises and milestone getaways to multi-cabin celebrations and custom-designed land tours.
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Jack is known for making even the most complex itineraries feel effortless, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully managed from start to finish.
His love of travel began at a young age, cruising with his grandparents. That tradition sparked a lifelong passion for exploring the world. Over time, that early spark evolved into a career defined by connection, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the experiences that bring people together.
With years of hands-on experience, Jack has led the design and execution of trips for discerning clients including multi-generational families, veterans’ organizations, and executive-level travelers seeking discretion and elevated service. He works closely with top-tier cruise lines, hotels, and global tour operators to offer exclusive amenities, exceptional value, and white-glove support throughout the entire journey.
Whether planning an intimate European escape or coordinating a celebration at sea, Jack brings concierge-level care, thoughtful planning, and calm expertise to every experience. Clients value his quick responsiveness, meticulous organization, and strong industry relationships that help transform ideas into truly unforgettable trips.
Based in Southern California, Jack supports clients nationwide. A passionate cruiser himself, he believes there is nothing more rewarding than waking up somewhere new and sharing that joy with others, one incredible journey at a time.
AI Oscar
Companion-in-Chief
Meet our four-legged team member, AI Oscar. This dashing Dachshund has a nose for the fabulous and a love for life on the road. Whether jet-setting or joyriding, AI Oscar brings charm, loyalty, and impeccable style to the team. As Jeff Lavender’s trusted travel sidekick, he ensures no adventure is without good company—and a touch of class.
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In this version, Oscar is AI-generated, but that doesn’t make him any less real to us. He’s inspired by the original Oscar, a beloved 30-pound dachshund who lived with Jeff and his wife Rory in the South of France and later in San Diego. He was with them for 12 wonderful years.
The exciting news is that later this year, a real puppy version of Oscar will be joining their family again, along with his soon-to-be brother, Franklin. Their mom, Trudy, is expecting soon, and we can’t wait to welcome the new additions.
Because Jeff and Rory are so deeply passionate about wiener dogs, we created this AI version of Oscar to share in their adventures as they travel the world. And who knows—maybe one day the real Oscar and Franklin will be exploring right alongside with them.
L I F E S T Y L E S
BY TRAVEL CONCIERGE
Meet Our Lifestyles Concierge Advisors
Travel Concierge is honored to partner with a team of LIFESTYLE Concierge Advisors to create an immersive travel experience. Each one is a professional in their field who is eager to share insights to improve your travel experience and elevate your dream getaway to levels you never imagined.
Sean Galloway
Wine Concierge Advisor
It’s hard to imagine travel without wine since the two are perfectly paired one destination at a time. That’s why Sommelier, Sean Galloway is the perfect “blend” for our team, curating wine collections for adventurous people with exceptional taste.
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His passion for wine first budded in Italy where he quickly discovered that vino is intertwined into the everyday culture of each region. Working his way up the vine, Sean studied with the Association of Italian Sommeliers and later acquired additional certification with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.
As Owner of Your Somm, this talented connoisseur earns extra “cool points” for spending 15 years in Europe. His wife, Shandra currently leads three international projects with Cru, balancing their time between Oregon and Italy.
They have Bend, Oregon to thank for their love for outdoor adventures where they connect with family around the table— pairing wine with the culinary magic Shandra creates in the kitchen. Between wine cellar consultations and advising private clients, Sean works as a private wine consultant.
We are honored to have Sean lead our LIFESTYLES Wine Concierge Services—offering expertise and recommendations by destination. Currently in the works are fully-immersive wine travel experiences, online and in-person events, wine seminars, and more. We’re equally excited to pop the cork on blog topics with Sean ranging from “Wine Cellar Must Haves” to “Off-the-Beaten-Path Wineries.”
If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own private sommelier, well Sean is ready to open the wine world for you and your family to explore. Meanwhile, we’ll be helping Sean expand his own dream of leading travelers through the regions of Piemonte, Alsace, Sicily, the Rhone Valley, Tuscany, Burgundy, and the Mosel.
In Sean's words, "I feel honored knowing that I am providing something beautiful that leads to more connection, celebration, and relaxation for people."
Please join us in raising a glass to Sean Galloway and his contribution to the LIFESTYLES program.