Teaming Up for Success

Gray masterfully combines inventive thought and technical adeptness for top-notch global travel-marketing strategies. Exceptional at interpreting technology and data, distilling complex ideas and managing reporting platforms, he elevates clients' competitiveness by enabling keen customer-behavior insights.

Toni is a project manager who works remotely from Venice, Florida. She enjoys boating and fishing with her husband and three kids. Originally from Ohio, Toni is a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan.

Favorite Travel Memory

I enjoy exploring all of the Caribbean islands, but Aruba has been my favorite — seeing flamingos in the wild was the best!

Anna is a valued member of our Brand USA team who applies her strategic approach to support multiple teams. When she's not immersed in her work, you'll find her indulging at new restaurants, enjoying outdoor adventures and planning her next getaway with loved ones. She also whips up a mean Buffalo chicken dip, is a proud Southeastern Louisiana University alumna and adores her labradoodle, Perre-Gabe and orange cat, Phen.

Favorite Travel Memory

After graduating with our MBA, my best friend and I embarked on a 4.5-month backpacking trip through South America and Europe. We named our adventure Ancora Imparo, which means "Yet, I am learning" in Italian. We visited 20 countries. We explored Greece and Croatia, immersed ourselves in the history of Peru and Italy and experienced the cultures of Colombia and Spain. 

Joy creates and optimizes content for our clients, bringing a strategic approach shaped by her background in research and editorial strategy. Outside of work, you’ll find her learning a new line dance, suffering up a mountain on whatever gear the season calls for or soaking in a hot spring. 

Favorite Travel Memory

When a winter transportation strike in Paris forced us to explore on foot, we experienced the city’s character in an intimate way. Plus, it came with a hearty supply of streetside roasted chestnuts.

Neal has worked his way up from designing websites for convention centers named after fried-chicken chains to leading a team of production companies, creative directors, art directors, graphic designers and copywriters to develop brands for some of the most iconic destinations worldwide.

Favorite Travel Memory

As a U.S. citizen, going over the border to Canada or Mexico isn't really an international trip. So, I chalked AlUla up as my first international trip. It was a fantastic experience even though we worked 19-plus hour days to document some of the first tourism opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Let's say I've learned to travel with a few snacks now due to that trip.

Michael works as a content manager on the hospitality team. When he's not capturing magic with words, you might find him searching San Diego for new coffee shops. Once he's caffeinated, Michael enjoys building his music collection, heading to the beach, watching reality TV and writing for his blog.

Favorite Travel Memory

I love a relaxing vacation, but meeting a dolphin in the Bahamas is definitely a standout moment.

Juliana Contreras is a multilingual senior art director, guitar strummer, culinary maestro and garden enthusiast. Her art bridges cultures, while her heart embraces family and pets. She's a sailing aficionada with an aquatic irony: can't swim, yet conquers the sea.

Favorite Travel Memory

Costa Rica: Being awakened by waves and a serenade of birds was such an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back.

Amanda is part of the email marketing team and manages programs for more than 20 different clients, including program analysis, email builds and deployment, scheduling and process development. When she is not submersed in the email marketing world, she is usually shuttling her two daughters to their many activities.

Favorite Travel Memory

My daughters played in snow for the first time on a trip to Iowa to visit family. Less than an hour after our plane landed, snow flurries began. After a quick run to Target to find boots, gloves and other snow apparel, there was 2 inches on the ground. We built snowmen and sledded in my brothers yard. My youngest is still talking about how much fun she had that day.

Leading all things content for Brand USA programs, Liz loves to explore too. You might find her in the Willamette Valley, Brooklyn or Puerto Rico. The Florida State grad’s passions include reading novels and poetry, listening to music, cooking, sipping craft beer and spending time with her partner, baby daughter and French bulldog.

Favorite Travel Memory

Ziplining in the rain in a rainforest in Costa Rica, then stopping afterward at the local watering hole for extra-refreshing beers.

John is part of the Memphis Tourism Sales Team and also the SEE Magazine Publisher on Panama City Beach. When not working to create great outcomes for our clients, he enjoys tennis, boating and traveling with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.

Favorite Travel Memory

So many to pick from, but Yosemite’s 2023 spring snow melt was an unforgettable trip.

As part of the hospitality division, Susi is a master orchestrator who seamlessly brings together creative directors, designers, copywriters and clients. When she is not overseeing the production workflow from concept to delivery, she's planning a trip with her husband Peter to a music festival or winery, or to visit their three daughters who live in three different states.

Favorite Travel Memory

My daughter Meagan took me on an epic adventure searching for Tom Jones in Cardiff, Wales. Too much fun. (Never found Tom.)

Lauren is a passionate, collaborative and creative marketing leader with 20-plus years of experience developing and executing strategic, integrated marketing communications programs. When she's not strategizing with clients and her amazing team, you will find her traveling, biking and enjoying time with her family.

Favorite Travel Memory

I have favorite travel memories from each and every trip so it's really difficult to choose just one. My first vacation memory in Bermuda as a five-year-old is very special to me, and it launched my passion for travel.

As a content manager for print and digital initiatives, Christi plans, writes and edits pieces to inspire people to visit the U.S., piquing the former journalist’s interest in exploring new places. Away from work, the Rotary Club member enthusiastically supports the South Florida Bulls.

Sam guides the content strategies and initiatives within the hospitality division while also ensuring the delivery of impactful content to clients. When she’s not crafting travel stories, you’ll find her adventuring in the mountains, creating a more sustainable lifestyle or daydreaming about her next travel destination.

Favorite Travel Memory

From sampling new dishes at the Tiong Bahru Market during golden hour to stumbling upon a neighborhood restaurant and indulging in a late-night dinner consisting of traditional chili crab, exploring the food scene in Singapore is one of my top travel memories.

Jodi was bitten by the travel bug at 14 when she spent a summer traveling across the U.S. with 40 other teens. With a background in magazine publishing and content marketing, she’s also a self-professed cruise nerd. When she’s not editing, writing or content creating, you can find her in Pilates, walking her dog and enjoying South Florida life.

Favorite Travel Memory

An annual New Kids on the Block cruise!

Paul is a driving force at Miles in successful product launches, advertising revenue-generation programs and creative solutions for DMOs. He is currently developing integrated travel industry co-op programs for Brand USA, and when he is not luring international visitors to the U.S., he is spending time in the great outdoors.

Favorite Travel Memory

I have so many fantastic travel memories, but one of my favorites was a family vacation in Croatia bareboat sailing throughout the Dalmatian Islands. Sailing is nirvana for me and when you add in my favorite people, perfect sailing conditions, incredible scenery, great food and wine, it doesn't get any better. 

Jessica is a project manager for the Brand USA team. When she's not busy poring over calendars and spreadsheets, she can be found at home with her beloved greyhound or out cycling or running. Jessica loves exploring new destinations with groups of fellow solo travelers, tackling challenging cycling routes with friends, hiking beautiful trails and visiting cozy coffee shops.

Favorite Travel Memory

My time in Prague with three other solo travelers. We walked 23,000 steps in a single day, exploring Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. We wandered through Old Town Square, taking breaks to shop and sample chimney cakes. We crossed Charles Bridge multiple times, seeking out local bistros and coffee shops. It was a great day spent with wonderful company.

With nearly 20 years of experience building teams in the travel industry at both Tripadvisor and Sojern, Richard uses his skills and expertise to lead sales efforts for the DMO and Brand USA sales teams. When he's not selling, Richard enjoys traveling, wine, sports and music. Richard’s family lives in Boston, MA. 

Favorite Travel Memory

Our family trip to Aruba. We spent seven incredible days connecting as a family, and it was one of those trips you never want to end. Every aspect of Aruba completely blew me away. 

At Miles, Andi orchestrates audience‑driven, cross‑channel media strategies for a number of destination clients, pairing data with storytelling to spark travel demand. Away from the desk, she and her family roam Colorado’s peaks and wild spaces, fueled by homemade cold‑brew.

Favorite Travel Memory

Honeymoon in Akumal, Mexico 

As a media planner at Miles, Jada creates, optimizes and analyzes campaigns for Savannah, Tybee Island, Memphis and others, using data-driven strategies to inspire travel and drive measurable results. In her time off, she enjoys hiking, shopping, trying out new recipes and playing with her dogs, Crew and Kai.

Favorite Travel Memory

My favorite travel memory is exploring Italy; visiting Rome, Siena, Florence, Cinque Terre, Tuscany and Milan. Experiencing the rich culture and vibrant way of life there was truly inspiring and made me excited to see more of the world.

I've been on the Miles/Brand USA team since day one, working with partners in a territory that stretches from Washington, D.C. to the Northern Mariana Islands. I dive deep into every destination I represent because I love to learn about food, drinks, and activities wherever I go. My wife and I recently opened a restaurant and cottages in the lovely hamlet of Union, Washington, in 2023.

Favorite Travel Memory

In South America, 1995 (pre-cellphone era), we took a flight to La Paz, Bolivia, with $10K and no plans. We knew Machu Picchu and Patagonia were musts but had no fixed schedule. Since there was no work, our only obligations were occasional calls and postcards to friends and family. It was total freedom; we explored off-the-beaten paths and lived spontaneously.

Hannah manages a content team in our DMO division, supporting content creation and strategy for more than 20 clients. When she's not digging into analytics or raiding the thesaurus for other ways to say "experience," she's listening to narrative podcasts or forcing an unwilling party to talk about the 2023 NBA Champion Denver Nuggets.

Favorite Travel Memory

After weeks in Budapest, my husband I thought we'd seen all there was to see. On our last full day, we stumbled upon a park with network of trails switchbacking up and down to city and river overlooks, monuments and statues. Each time we emerged from a forested patch, there was something new to surprise us — characteristic of the serendipitous nature of travel.