Meet Our Team

Every person on our team - from travel agent to group leader - has a keen sensitivity to the needs of those with developmental disabilities, and they appreciate how important Trips adventures are to our travelers.

Our Founder & Director

Jim with travelers Sharon and Rhonda

Jim Peterson, the founder and executive director of Trips Inc., brings over 26 years of leadership and expertise in both areas of special education and travel. He has a master’s degree in special education, has been the director of residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities in Oregon and California, and currently sits on the board of directors for the Oregon Supported Living Program.

Jim has been named Direct Service Provider of the Year by the ARC of Lane County, ”in recognition of exemplary skills in working with people with developmental disabilities.” Five years running, Jim and Trips Inc have received the Community Partner Award from the ARC of Lane County “in recognition of business partnership that benefits people with developmental disabilities.”

Jim received the 2006 Oregon Supported Living Program Advocate of the Year Award “for enhancing the physical, mental and educational well being of those with developmental disabilities. Jim provides individuals the opportunity to become integral members of the community through travel.”

The 2006 Committed Partners For Youth Contribution Award was given to Trips Inc. for assisting at-risk youths in their community through donations and volunteerism to empower them to take responsibility for their role as valuable, proactive citizens in the community.

Staff & Tour Leaders

Our chaperones and tour leaders excel at creating special bonds with travelers that result in a sense of warmth and belonging. And they all know how to dance!

Our professional tour leaders all have extensive training and experience in special education, first aid, and travel. Our chaperones are school teachers, counselors, residential care providers and other caring individuals. They help travelers with their medications (if required), budgeting their spending money, and personal care. They are especially attentive to the countless logistics and tiny details involved in traveling with those with developmental disabilities. Our average staffing ratio is one chaperone for every three or four travelers.

Rhonda Reed - Travel and Accounting Manager Rhonda with traveler, Jason, on the Viking Tour in Dublin, Ireland Rhonda, our travel and accounting manager, has over 22 years experience in the travel industry. She has a certificate in travel agency operations, and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Rhonda is responsible for the extremely complex task of booking all the various components of our vacations as well as being the lead accountant for the business. Since coming to Trips Inc. in December 1998, Rhonda has chaperoned 4 domestic trips and 13 international trips including Scotland, London, Rome, Ireland, New Zealand and Paris. Rhonda is known in the office for doggy day care...we never know what dogs she will show up with!

Janet Fenley - Accounting Coordinator Janet relaxes in the shade on a sunny day at the Trips office. Janet comes to Trips Inc. with over 22 years experience working in the travel industry. Janet is responsible for all the Trips Inc. registration accounts, billing and paperwork. As another interest, she completed her certified nurses assistant training. Janet's family includes her son, Jason, her crazy cats Spudzy, Prince, and Missy, and her dog Sami, who has recently become a regular part of the the office!

Tracey Henshen - Program Coordinator Tracey enjoys a day at Disney World with Laurie, Mickey and Matt. Tracey started working with Trips Inc. in October of 1999. Tracey has been an active volunteer in the community and has a background working for the ARC of Lane County. As the Trips Inc. program coordinator, Tracey works closely with our tour group leaders and prepares the trip information packets for each vacation. Tracey has recently taken on the task of screening all of the travelers! Many of our travelers have gotten to know Tracey as she regularly drives our Oregon groups to the Portland airport, and she has chaperoned more than 16 trips. Tracey and her husband Eric have a son, Cody, who is a very busy toddler!

Leslie Peterson - Communications Director Leslie with travelers at the Pendleton Roundup Leslie comes to Trips Inc. after working eleven years at the Bureau of Labor & Industries as a Senior Civil Rights Investigator. She has a broad knowledge of disability laws and the Americans with Disabilites Act. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture & Allied Arts. Leslie started at Trips Inc. as the communications director in March 2005. She is involved in everything from creating the Trips Inc. brochure to managing the volunteer chaperone program and staffing all our vacations. Leslie has already chaperoned five trips and has aspirations to do many more in the future!

Russ Johnson - Tour Group Leader Russ and traveler, Steve, in Las Vegas Russ began working in the field in Colorado over 18 years ago. He has managed group homes, worked as a live-in companion, and assisted with day programs via the community center boards of two counties. He has been a Trips Inc. chaperone, and later Tour Group Leader, since 2000 and has done more than 70 trips. Russ personally knows over 75% of all our travelers. Russ works in the Trips Inc. office preparing the supplies for each trip that goes out, and creating the photo albums after every trip returns. Russ is known for being able to capture the true essence of a trip in his photographs!

Jeffrey Binns & Kim McCall - Tour Group Leaders Jeffrey and Kim at the Pendleton Round-Up Jeffrey (AKA: Yafe, Kenryu) has been a Tour Group Leader for Trips Inc. since 1999. Jeffrey has a background working with folks who have developmental disabilities in both group home and recreational capacities. Jeffrey also has a sister with special needs. Jeffrey's happiest when he's outdoors in his home state of Iowa enjoying his favorites-people, dogs and horses! Kim McCall has worked for Trips Inc. for over 12 years and is an outstanding Tour Group Leader. Kim has been an adult foster care provider for many years and has over 17 years experience in the field of developmental disabilities. Kim is a true horse lover, and has three of her own that live with her at her house. She and Jeffrey can occasionally be found on the same horse related Trips Inc. vacations!

Lee Allen - Tour Group Leader Lee and traveler, Jessica, in Yellowstone. Lee Allen is a case manager for a group home in Wyoming and comes to us with extensive knowledge and skills in working with people with special needs. She has been chaperoning and leading trips since 1999 and is our hub person for Denver, Colorado. Lee loves signing up folks from her agency on Trips Inc. vacations! Everyone describes Lee as a fun, dependable, and ready for anything!