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Meet Our Team
Every single person on our team - from travel agent to tour group leader - has a keen sensitivity to the needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They appreciate how important Trips Inc. adventures are to our travelers!
Our Founder & Director - Jim Peterson
Jim with travelers in Memphis |
In 1982, Jim Peterson M.S., the founder and executive director of Trips Inc., was caring for Trent, a young man with cerebral palsy. Although there were “local” camps and destinations to visit, Jim quickly realized there was little opportunity for people with intellectual & developmental disabilities to experience the wide world of travel. More important, there was no inspiration to travel beyond one’s own backyard! This discovery altered the course of Jim’s life. Originally from Maryland, he completed his undergrad work at Georgetown University, and earned a Masters degree in Special Education at the University of Oregon. He later became the director of residential programs for adults with developmental disabilities in both Oregon and California.
Jim’s dream to create a business where ALL people have access to travel came true in 1991 when he started Trips Inc. Special Adventures. Eleven years running, Trips Inc. has won the Community Partner award from the ARC “in recognition of business partnership that benefits people with developmental disabilities.” In 2010 Jim won the prestigious Lisl Waechter award “in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to people with developmental disabilities in Lane County.” Jim has also been named the Direct Service Provider of the Year “for exemplary skills in working with people with developmental disabilities.” He currently sits on the board of directors for the ARC of Lane County.
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/Tour Group Leader
Rhonda & a traveler on the Greece Cruise |
Rhonda, our travel and accounting manager, has over 25 years experience in the travel industry. She has a certificate in travel agency operations, and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. Rhonda is a certified airline reporting corporation (ARC) specialist and 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 1998, Rhonda has led/chaperoned over 25 trips including Scotland, England, Germany, Austria, Rome, Ireland, Greece, New Zealand and France. Rhonda believes traveling is a way to enhance a person's independence and personal growth. Traveling with our groups gives an opportunity to make new friends and she has found our travelers are the best ambassadors at the international destinations! We also want to recognize Rhonda for her devotion to homeless animals in our community. She recently completed her certification as a dog trainer with Animal Behavior College and regularly volunteers her time at the local animal shelters! |
Leslie Peterson - Communications Director/Tour Group Leader
Leslie and a traveler at the Dude Ranch! |
Leslie came 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 Disabilities Act. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture & Allied Arts from the University of Oregon. Leslie has her mediation certification, volunteered two years for a community mediation service, and now is a mediation trainer for the elementary students at her sons school. She strongly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and has become a mentor for a big brother/big sister program, Committed Partner's For Youth, as well as being involved in several project that support the homeless. 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 chaperoned and led many trips but has an attachment to one in particular--Dude Ranch!
Leslie's free time is spent raising her two sons, Caleb (15) and Sage (11). Both boys can't wait for the day they can chaperone trips! |
Janet Fenley - Accounting Coordinator
Janet chillin' at work! |
Janet came to Trips Inc. as a highly regarded travel agent working for 22 years all at the same travel agency, Adventure in Travel. Janet is responsible for all the Trips Inc. registration accounts, billing and paperwork. She has been a part of the Trips Inc. family for seven years and counting, and chaperoned her first trip to Disneyland!
Janet has always had an open door policy supporting all kinds of people (and animals!) who need assistance. Because of her caring and gentle nature she is always an avid advocate for our travelers! |
Julia Scheri - Tour Group Leader/Conference Representative
Julia and a traveler on the Disney Cruise! |
Julia is our amazing tour group leader and conference representative. She is also quite the linguist speaking Spanish, Italian, and sign language!
Julia comes from a family of human service professionals and began learning about physical & developmental disabilities at a very young age. She has done a psych internship focusing on PTSD and social anxiety, as well as respite care for children with aspergers and autism. Julia worked as a care provider through Full Access Brokerage for over three years.
Julia's main studies have been at the University of Oregon, but she has participated in many study abroad programs including the University Per Stranieri in Peruguia, Italy; the University of Puerto Rico; as well as a work study volunteer program in Croatia.
Julia believes that travel is important for everyone! It has helped her become the great person she is today. |
Matt Miller - Tour Group Leader
Matt and a traveler in San Diego |
Matt has been with Trips Inc. since 2008 when he was a vocational counselor at Mid-Valley Rehab, job training folks with various intellectual/developmental disabilities. Now he is a fearless fighter of fires living in the Portland, OR area!
If it isn't obvious from his picture, his sense of humor, wonderful energy and fun personality is contagious! |
Kim Dunn - Tour Group Leader
Kim and a traveler in Disneyworld |
Kim Dunn has been with Trips Inc. as a chaperone since 2003 and is now leading vacations when she can find time. She is one busy gal with a baby due in early 2012!
A volunteer for Special Olympics for over 24 years, she was selected to coach the NW region women's power lifting team in Dublin, Ireland at the Special Olympics summer games. She has also provided respite care to families of children with Down's Syndrome.
She always receives top notch reviews from the travelers and other chaperones that work with her, describing her as having an infectious smile, boundless energy and the patience of a saint! |
David Robinson - Tour Group Leader
David with a traveler in San Diego |
David is another one of our outstanding leaders. He has been with Trips Inc. more years than we can remember. What is memorable is that he also volunteers in Africa on medical missions! He is an excellent cook and a private caterer in Portland, Oregon, as well as an animal lover.
David is one of the most caring individuals that we know, and if you are lucky enough to have him as your tour group leader, we are sure you will agree with us! |
Tracey Henshen - Tour Group Leader
Tracey & a traveler in Big Island, Hawaii |
Tracey has worked for Trips since 1999. She has an extensive background in volunteer work in the community including working with intellectually & developmentally disabled people through the Arc of Lane County.
In 2009 Tracey became a certified Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) specialist. She has demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of ARC procedures and a commitment to professionalism in the travel industry.
Tracey has chaperoned/led more than 20 trips. She currently works as a special education classroom assistant. Tracey and her husband Eric have a son, Cody, who is a very busy 6 year old! |
Ed Wanner - Tour Group Leader
Ed in Alaska with a traveler |
Ed Wanner loves to travel! When Ed, a Community Employment Manager for Mid-Valley Rehabilitation in McMinnville, Oregon, heard that Trips Inc. was looking for chaperones, he and his wife, Cheryl, applied and soon they were off to Disneyland, the Happiest Place on Earth. Ed and Cheryl have put together local excursions to sporting events and theater plays, so they find it a pleasure to work with Trips Inc. having them handle all the details! Ed says, “Trips knows how to do vacations right, and they always have that little extra that makes it special!”
Ed’s interest in sports and people lead him to coach golf and basketball with Special Olympics for the past four years. He looks forward to having enough athletes to field a baseball team, his favorite sport.
In addition to traveling, Ed spends a week in the summer as a counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp, a program designed for foster and abused youth. Ed and Cheryl also bring their vacation experiences to their home by hosting foreign exchange students from places such as Japan, Korea, and Germany—which, of course, are places they hope to travel in the future!
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Kim Ostberg - Tour Group Leader
Kim and traveler at the Dude Ranch |
Kim Ostberg has worked for Trips Inc. for about 20 years and is an outstanding Tour Group Leader and definite favorite of the travelers. Kim has been an adult foster care provider for many years and has over 22 years experience in the field of developmental disabilities. She has also been a long term care provider through Full Access Brokerage. Kim is a true horse lover as well as a duck lover--the University of Oregon Ducks, that is! |
Danell Boggs - Tour Group Leader
Danell and a traveler in Disneyland |
Danell has been chaperoning and leading trips since the 1990's. She is also well known at Trips Inc. as one of the most beloved tour group leaders by both the travelers and the chaperones who work with her!
Danell is a case manager in Tillamook, Oregon where she lives with her three children, one of whom has special needs. In 2011 she became the Mayor of her city, Rockaway Beach, Oregon! |
Amy Mohler -- Tour Group Leader
Amy and a traveler in San Diego |
Amy became a chaperone with Trips Inc. in early 2009 after some of her clients went on a trip. She has been working in the field for about 10 years and says she can't believe she gets paid to have a lot of fun with a lot of special people from all walks of life, with vast variations in abilities!
Amy has a tremendous amount of energy! Part of what she does includes the following:
• Special education (k-12)
• Advocate & caregiver - vocational support & assistance with self care & daily activities
• Respite care for severe/profoundly disabled kids
• Young Life leader - Capernaum branch for kids with disabilities
• Volunteer with Outdoors for All & other recreational organizations
• Coach for Special Olympics swim team
• Chaperone & Tour Group Leader for Trips Inc every chance she gets!
"I can't say enough good things about what a wonderful company Trips Inc. is and the amazing opportunities it gives to so many people! These quotes embody WHY I do it all:"
"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness." Declaration of Independence
"Our inner strengths, experiences and truths cannot be lost, destroyed or taken away. Every person has inborn worth and can contribute to the human community. We all can treat one another with dignity and respect, provide opportunities to grow towards out fullest potential, and help one another discover and develop our unique gifts. We each deserve this and can extend it to others." Mark Twain
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