Meet the Team

Cheryl has worked in the group travel market for 16 years, joining Premier Travel Media in 2010. She is the Business Development Manager for the Midwest and Southeast. She understands what group travel means to destinations and attractions and knows how to put together a package that meets her clients’ goals. Cheryl enjoys all sports, especially those that her daughters play. Family is everything.

MARKETS & TERRITORIES

Leisure, Student, Family, Film, International Inbound – MN, IA, MS, AR, LA, WI, IL, MI, IA, KY, TN, MO, AL, NC, SC, GA, FL; Caribbean

Diane joined Premier Travel Media in December 2021. Her career experience includes over 25 years in the travel industry. Working in sales for several attractions and group friendly restaurants. She has helped many companies with successful start-up operations. As the Business Development Manager for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Diane brings a wealth of knowledge of the travel industry and can help you find the very best marketing/advertising campaign for your company. In her free time, Diane loves hiking with her family and her favorite places to visit are Vermont and Maine, especially the Bar Harbor area for its amazing trails and mountain peaks.

MARKETS & TERRITORIES

Leisure, Student, Family, Film, International Inbound – ME, NH, VT, MA, DE, MD, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ, OH, WV, VA, Washington DC; Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick

Jeff Gayduk launched Premier 22 years ago with a vision of how to better connect buyers and sellers in the b2b travel industry. Under his leadership, what started as one print magazine has organically grown over the past two decades to include six unique vertical market properties (sports events, student travel, family reunions, international inbound, film production and leisure group travel) and nearly two dozen custom publishing arrangements with associations and destination marketing organizations. In his free time, Jeff enjoys competitive bike racing and coaching youth sports.

Hi My name is Robie Manansala, I’m a dedicated business development professional. I use my expertise in market analysis, lead generation, and consultative selling, along with spearheading initiatives to identify and pursue new business prospects, ensuring alignment with Premier Travel Media’s goals and objectives.
I’m passionate about reading books and watching documentaries. Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, experimenting in the kitchen, or volunteering in in my community, I believe in the importance of self-care and giving back.

Randy has been part of Premier Travel Media’s editorial team since 2008, when he was hired as managing editor. A professional travel writer for more than 50 years and the recipient of many travel writing awards, he has written for travel guidebooks, newspaper travel sections, and national consumer and trade magazines. Randy is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and Midwest Travel Journalists Association. Travel industry experience includes stints in student travel offices and work as a tour leader for student and senior citizen groups. He has been to more than 70 countries and has taken 47 cruises. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Randy is a native of Elgin, Illinois, and has lived in the Chicago area all his life.

Jason Paha has worked in the professional journalism industry for 25 years. In that time, he has covered a multitude of athletes and entertainers, interviewed thousands of storytellers, and consumed copious amounts of food and beverages on the company dime. It hasn’t been a bad gig. During his free time, Jason likes to travel to far-flung places and immerse himself into the local culture. He has also been a frequent visitor to ballparks, stadiums, and arenas across the country. His goal, should fate allow it, is to see every major sports venue in North America before he expires. Wish him luck.

Lisa Hede is an ASBPE award-winning designer with a passion for page layout. When she’s not in front of her computer, she can be found working in her garden, exploring northern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest, or checking out the museums, historical sites and restaurants discussed in her work.

Kelsey has been an avid reader and traveler since she was young, and this carried into her career aspirations working in publishing. After studying English at the University of Missouri, she searched for a job that could foster learning and fun while still giving her a challenge. She found her perfect fit with Premier Travel Media as the Production Coordinator and Contributing Writer. Kelsey takes on any task presented in addition to handling general production, video production, podcast production, and social media at Premier Travel Media across brands. Kelsey has traveled through National Parks and big cities like London, England. “It’s hard to decide which I like more, the other-worldly natural aspects of the geysers at Yellowstone National Park or the exciting hustle and parade of a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Every time I travel, I find myself learning something new while having a great time.”

Courtney joined the PTM team in 2022 and helps oversee marketing efforts for several of PTM’s brands. She brings experience managing publications for a non-profit organization in New York City and holds a BA in journalism and an MA in intercultural relations. Courtney also spent five years as a contributing writer for the group travel industry and enjoys promoting travel while learning about interesting destinations. In her free time Courtney enjoys rock climbing, running, and of course, traveling.

Favorite travel destinations: Peru, Thailand, Norway and France

After interning for Premier Travel Media in late 2019, Chris joined in 2021 to help build social media presence and brand awareness, as well as assist in overseeing overall production for Sports Planning Guide. Chris is an advocate for diversity and culture exchange and a language nerd. His specialization is in English rhetoric and writing, which he not only applies to the travel industry but also to short and long-form fiction. Chris enjoys the roads less traveled—walking through mountain villages or through narrow streets and alleys in search of hidden gems. When it comes to favorite destinations, the Basque Country tops his list with its unique culture and relaxed atmosphere along the Atlantic.

While enrolled at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Tyler worked as an editorial intern for Premier Travel media writing and editing for several of our products. After gaining professional experience as an S.E.O. Specialist and working as a freelance writer for some time, Tyler has chosen to come back to Premier Travel Media and currently works as our Content Development Specialist. Before working as an editorial intern and now our content development specialist, Tyler spent time living in Madrid, Spain and worked as an English teacher. Some of his favorite places to travel have been Oregon, Banff, San Francisco, Spain, North Carolina and road-tripping through Midwest America.

Heather chased her dreams of becoming a writer and fulfilled her college goals in 2021. A proud graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a concentration in Writing and Literary Studies.

Starting as an intern in 2022, Heather was subsequently offered a freelance gig for Leisure Group Travel. Less than a year later, Heather was asked to become a full-time writer for PTM. When she’s not writing, you can find Heather fossil-hunting the cliffs of Maryland’s Western Shore, beachcombing for shark teeth in North Carolina, or traveling with her partner and love of ten years, Brian.

Favorite places: Florida Keys, Pawleys Island SC, Tybee Island & Savannah GA, Calvert County MD, Nashville TN, Assateague Island National Seashore MD, and the OBX (Outer Banks) NC.

Tom Tobiason