Executive Director | National Dude Ranchers' Association
Kate Scopetti got her start in the industry in 1982 working at a small hotel in Indiana, Pennsylvania—the Christmas Tree Capital of the World. While the city wasn't considered a group tour destination at the time, Scopetti worked to come up with an idea to make it one.
Brian McInerney has been a Foreign Service Officer—or "U.S. diplomat"—for more than 20 years. From Ireland, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Mexico and Iraq, McInerney has served as a Consular official in five countries spanning four continents.
While Lori Visser, VTA knew she wanted to work as a travel advisor after high school, she initially followed a different path—one that led her into accounting and later as a corporate controller for a construction, manufacturing and commercial real estate business. She was used to often being the only woman in the room. Eventually, Visser returned to what she calls her first love: travel.
Kate Scopetti, President, MARS and Companies, was announced as the winner of the 2023 TODAY! Award at the recent ABA Marketplace in Detroit.