New Appointments at AdventureSmith Explorations

Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations is expanding its team to keep up with what Todd Smith, president and founder, calls “tremendous growth over this past year.”

Longtime AdventureSmith crew member Chris Harter has been promoted to the management team as Director of Sales and Operations. As AdventureSmith’s first employee nearly a decade ago, Chris is intimately familiar with the company’s destinations, operations and travel philosophy. During his tenure with the company he has traveled to Alaska, Baja, Ecuador, Svalbard, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Australia, Antarctica, Hawaii and Indonesia just to name a few of the company’s featured destinations. In his new role he will be in charge of a growing team of Adventure Sales Specialists and streamlining operations to make existing systems more efficient while also taking customer service to an all new level. He will also assist in the development of new and enticing destinations and itineraries.

“Working at AdventureSmith has provided me with an incredible opportunity for personal growth and adventure” says Harter. “Living and working in Lake Tahoe we are surrounded by folks pursuing their dream professions; river guides, professional skiers, outdoor photographers and the like, but people always seems to comment about my work letting me know that I have the perfect job. And you know what, they’re right! I get to spread my passion for travel to our clientele, and better yet I can get out there and make sure our trips are the best they can be. Being able to watch our company grow over the years has been incredibly rewarding, and getting the opportunity to advance my career with a company I love in the process is icing on the cake.”

On Harter’s immediate plans, “I recently returned from Patagonia and I am excited about adding new South America offerings to provide more choices to our alumni clients and to increase our options for Antarctica extensions. Operationally I plan to update our incentive program for new and repeat clients with referral discounts, and group incentives for families, schools, corporate reward trips.”

The company’s rapid growth has led to other positions being created and/or filled. One new team member who will assist with sales as the company continues to expand is Tiffany Corbell who joins AdventureSmith Explorations as an Adventure Specialist.

“Tiffany’s resume reads like a seasoned AdventureSmith crew member/traveler with work and travel experience in many of our top destinations including Alaska, Costa Rica, Peru, Patagonia, Easter Island and Antarctica.  Her extensive travel industry experience combined with her vivacious personality and commitment to customer service ensures that our clients are in good hands,” notes Smith.

She says she is most excited “to assist fellow adventure enthusiasts with creating trips of a lifetime.”

Lis Korb, Office & Content Manager who recently assisted with the launch of a new website and customer database and who provided stability during a critical time of growth, is leaving the company. Replacing her is Audrey Vaughan who brings administrative and technical expertise to the post.

“She will manage the demands of our very detailed website,” says Smith. “We are confident that with her leadership our website content will continue to set the standard in the travel industry.”

Vaughan, who has lived and traveled abroad including New Zealand, Central America, Southeast Asia, Australia, Fiji and Alaska, said she is “excited to join a fun and professional team, who share my passion and love of travel.”

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. In 2012, owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious 14th Annual Travel Specialists List as the world’s expert on small ship expeditions. A distinction he received again in 2013. For information, availability and 2014 reservations, Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or visit www.adventuresmithexplorations.com