Our Staff
Craig Howard
Vice President, Tour & Group Sales
Craig holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Marketing and a degree in Journalism from Fresno State University. Craig started in the travel business as an account executive for Top Value Incentive travel in Chicago, IL before and worked as Business Development Manager for Trans Continental Travel (TCT) in San Francisco. Craig started SST Tours in 1985 as the President & CEO designing customized international tours to over 40 countries for educators, major corporations such as IBM and Boeing as well as the affinity markets of travel clubs, the banking industry, Alumni’s and medical associations. With more than 25 years in the industry, Craig expanded operations to include Chamber Discoveries in 2007; specializing in international tours for Chambers of Commerce across the US. He has traveled extensively throughout the US and internationally to all continents and more than 40 countries. In his leisure time, Craig enjoys spending time with his family; he is married with 4 kids. His hobbies include playing basketball, skiing, and traveling.
Chris Brough
Regional Sales Manager
Chris Brough, Business Development Manager, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Entrepreneurship from Fresno State University. Chris joined Chamber Discoveries 11 years ago as Business Development Manager and continues to build and maintain relationships with Chambers across the US. He has traveled extensively throughout the US and internationally to Austria, Czechoslovakia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey. In his leisure time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, snowboarding, home improvement, camping, and traveling.
Sarah Van Elsen
Affinity Groups & Tours Coordinator
Sarah graduated from Wartburg College in northern Iowa with a degree in Business Administration. After moving to Missouri, she received a master’s degree in Entertainment Business and has put together many large and small group events for various music groups.She entered into the travel industry in 2015 when she began working for Adelman Travel. Over the years, she has traveled extensively across the Americas, the -----............ Caribbean, Europe, and Australia. This experience, coupled with her experience working with groups, has given her the insight she needs to take care of client's needs. Sarah is detail-oriented and takes pride in planning and executing tours that exceed all expectations.
Kaley Honzel
Business Development Manager
Kaley Honzel, Business Development Manager with Chamber Discoveries and Perfect Pairings covers Central and Southern California, Washington and Oregon territories. Prior to joining Chamber Discoveries & Perfect Pairings, Kaley spent the last 15 years in a variety of roles in the wine industry including Sales & Marketing with PasoRoblesWineries.net, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and EOS Estate Winery. She has traveled internationally to: Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, Italy and Mexico. In her leisure time, Kaley is enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and baby boy. She loves hiking, boating and snowboarding.
Sandy S. (Hale) Birkbeck
Manager, Program Operations
Sandy Hale, Manager of Program Operations, holds a Master in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University. Sandy’s career experience includes 20 years experience managing all aspects of event management for a wide-range of events including tradeshows, auto shows, conventions, city-wide conferences, cruises, travel incentive programs, sales meetings, and special events throughout the U.S. and internationally for groups of 20 - 5,000 people. Sandy has traveled extensively; managing events in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, the Western Mediterranean, and all over the United States. In her leisure time, Sandy enjoys spending time with her 4 children and 2 grandchildren, travel, caring for foster children, volunteering for local non-profit groups (Children’s Hospital, Red Cross) and watching crime solving shows like Body of Proof, Criminal Minds, CSI, Elementary, NCIS, etc.
Brian Garrison
Operations Manager
Brian started in the travel industry over 20 years ago, working for a company that planned tours and managed hotels. From there, he added group sales to his resume before joining Adelman Travel in 1999. Brian takes enormous satisfaction from planning his clients' dream vacations, and he specializes in escorted tours and customized group travel. A world traveler who has been to many different countries, his travels include visits to Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, France, England, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Austria and the Czech-Republic. Additionally, he has visited 41 out of the 50 U.S. states and is continually adding more. Brian is always searching for his next travel destination to experience new adventures and new cuisines.
Marvin McDaniel
Business Development Manager
Marvin has worked full time in the travel industry for over 40 years. He has extensive product knowledge and experience hosting groups on six continents. After graduation from Missouri State University in 1971, he received his commission as an Ensign in the US Navy Reserves. Following three years on active duty living on Guam and traveling throughout the orient, he entered the travel industry and eventually retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1991. He has owned his own retail agency and was a principle in an online agency selling hotel reservations which went public and sold in 2001. He’s been asked many times what his favorite destination is and the answer is “let me give you 25”. That said, he really enjoys Egypt, all of Europe, Peru, China and Thailand.
Kim Riley
Vacation Group Consultant
Kim started in the Hospitality Business over 20 years ago, working for Marcus Hotels and Wyndham Hotel & Resorts in Sales and as a General Manager. From there, she joined Adelman Travel in 2012, starting in our Rewards Redemption Department, and shortly transitioned into a role with our Partner Solutions Team. In that position, she was responsible for booking all internal travel. Kim takes great pride in providing excellent customer service to everyone! She loves to travel and has been lucky to experience many destinations. Her favorites are Hawaii, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Canada & Mexico. Kim can’t wait to travel and explore new places and adventures. In addition, she enjoys traveling with her family and making lasting memories.