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Meet Our Team

Our Destination Specialists

At Down Under Answers, our success is based on our wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry. We want to delight you in every way and we believe our team of dedicated destination specialists will exceed your thoughts on what customer service should be about… and that’s you!

Come and meet our talented team!

ANNA CRISPIN, Reservations & Operations Manager

 
Hometown: Hobart, Tasmania
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Tasmania of course!  This unique island has something for everyone - beautiful beaches, amazing scenery, diverse wildlife and a cosmopolitan city.
Favorite Food: Definitely Thai.  Although nothing beats fresh fish and chips from the fish punts on Hobart Wharf.
Favorite Wine: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - nothing else comes close!
Favorite Music: A bit of everything but particularly like U2, and Aussie band Powderfinger.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: Bruny Island, located just a 45 minute drive and 30 minute ferry ride south of Hobart.  I grew up right near here and truly believe that it has some of the most stunning scenery and wildlife in Tasmania. 
Travel Tip:   Try to fit some leisure time into your vacation, to give yourself time to absorb everything.  Oh and pack everything that makes you happy, even if it includes 5 pairs of shoes!

SUE-ANN HIME, Destination Specialist

Hometown: Mmmm.. have not lived in Australia for 17 years. Used to live in Dimbulah; parents live in Gympie, I grew up in Yeppoon. A true Queenslander through and through.
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Queenland
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Wine: Something Australian. Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz
Favorite Music:  Alternative
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: Lord Howe Island
Travel Tip: Always take a small towel on the plane- much nicer than having to wipe your face with the paper towels.

CATHI LANDOWSKI, Destination Specialist

Hometown:  Varied – from London to New Zealand to Oregon.
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  Tasmania – It offers everything you could want in one place:  amazing wildlife, fascinating history, beautiful food and scenery that will take your breath away!  But then again, I do love Rotorua!
Favorite Food:   Kangaroo Island’s haloumi cheese!
Favorite Wine:   No wine for me:  I’ll take a Cascade Brewery’s Ginger Beer though.
Favorite Music: Glee Soundtrack
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  There are a few:  Trowunna Wildlife Park – a wildlife park in Tasmania that specializes in Tasmanian Devils.  We can set up private tours of the park that will get you up close and personal to your favorite Australian animals.  Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in the South Pacific.  Everything about it is stellar:  from the amazing staff, scrumptious food, breathtaking views, soothing spa and fantastic touring.  Platinum Class on the Indian Pacific:  Never thought train travel could be that luxurious!  Waking up with the sun rising over the outback of New South Wales is something I’ll always remember.  Rotorua:  Who would think that I’d love a place you can smell before you actually see it?  Rotorua has so much to offer:  Maori culture, amazing geothermal experiences, beautiful landscapes.  Call me strange, but I could watch mud boil for hours!
Travel Tip: You can’t see everything in two weeks.  Pick some amazing experiences, stay longer than you think you’d want to and then plan your next trip back for more!

KIM FAUCETTE, Destination Specialist

 
Hometown: San Diego
About Me:  I have a twin brother who lives in Japan and an older brother in Austin TX. I have a daughter and two step-daughters and married the funniest man I know last year!
Favorite Destination: My two favorite destinations are Fiji & the Top End. I think Fiji is the most romantic place on earth and the people are so incredibly hospitable and nice, it makes me smile whenever I think of them. I fell in love with Darwin/National Parks because the landscape is so diverse and the wildlife is plentiful.

ALLISON HOGAN, Destination Specialist

Hometown: Alstonville, Nr Ballina/Byron Bay, Northern NSW, Australia.
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  Queensland: Bundaberg makes the best rum in the world!
Favorite Food: King Prawns fresh off the trawler in Ballina.
Favorite Wine: NZ Sauvignon blanc, oops yes,  it is a Kiwi wine
Favorite Music: Alternative - anything from the 80’s
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  Bundaberg Rum
Travel Tip: Pack half what you think you need.

MATT GREENHAM, Destination Specialist

Hometown:  Perth, WA
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Airlie Beach & the Whitsunday Islands
Favorite Food:  Seafood, Mangos & Black Forest Cake
Favorite Wine: Margaret River region, Western Australia. Amberley Chenin Blanc on a summer afternoon
Favorite Music: I mainly listen to music when I run, so whatever keeps me entertained on the day.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: Fraser Island, Queensland. Lakes, rainforest and a beach highway. Great spot.
Travel Tip: In the south pacific, allow time in a vacation for a few days of ocean, sand and salty air – relax.

MELODIE WEBSTER, Destination Specialist

Hometown:  Monmouth, Oregon
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Sydney, best city I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot!
Favorite Food: Mexican
Favorite Wine: Cabernet Savignon
Favorite Music:  Almost everything
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  I can’t tell you…I’m good at keeping secrets!

CAROLYN OKAMURA, Destination Specialist

Hometown:  Melbourne, Australia
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  Port Douglas, Tropical North Queensland. This is such an idyllic and picturesque cove tucked away amongst the Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Although it is often a popular holiday destination, it remains unspoilt and pristine.
Favorite Food: I am a self confessed foodie, so I have too many favorites to list! Having said that though, I absolutely love Thai cuisine. And there is always room for a McDonalds chocolate Sundae…no matter what time of day it is!
Favorite Wine:   ‘Brown Brothers’ Merlot - it never fails to impress and it’s from Victoria!
Favorite Music:   My taste in music is much like my taste in art (and food) a mix of this and that.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: The Yarra Valley, outside of Melbourne. This wine region of Victoria is a treasure trove of wineries, dairy farms, restaurants and cafes. The Valley boasts some of the freshest produce, the most delicious wines and cheeses that you will find, and is set amongst a landscape that will take your breath away.
Travel Tip: Don’t forget a small towel and a spare pair of socks in your carry on bag - they will make the world of difference!

KATE LAWRY, Destination Specialist

Hometown: Stone, Nr Berkeley, Gloucestershire, England
Favorite South Pacific Destination: I can’t choose – Sydney for city life, Fiji for the beach and Queenstown for adventure – love them all!
Favorite Food: Steak (boring I know!)
Favorite Wine: Red in the winter, White in the summer
Favorite Music: I can’t choose this either – depends what I am doing – running – I like dance music, cleaning the house I like rock music, driving I like sing along music!
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: The sticky toffee pudding at Morgan’s in Darlinghurst!
Travel Tip: Always stay longer than you think you should – you will be glad you did!

TAMMY LINDSEY, Destination Specialist

Hometown: Ventura CA
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  This is a hard one as I have favorites in Australia, New Zealand and the Islands. If I had to pick, I would say Vanuatu. This island destination is untouched, raw, adventurous, but offers 5 star cuisine and some truly elegant properties that were a delightful surprise.  Standing at the edge of a live volcano made me question my sanity! It was a once in a life time experience I would not trade! Vanuatu has great diving, culture, history and hikes. Many of the tribes still survive as they have for centuries and to see this first hand was incredible. There was also plenty of beautiful beaches to explore and relax upon, so the overall island experience was exceptional! This is a great stop over from Australia, Fiji, or a sole destination selection.
Favorite Food: Thai Food
Favorite Wine: Pinot Noir and Merlots from Australia & New Zealand.
Favorite Music: Zen (when I need relation), Dance (when I am ready to work out), and current pop/rock.
Best Kept South Pacific Treatment:  Lake Wanaka in New Zealand. This is where the locals go to vacation and it’s absolutely stunning and untouched. Great place for a hike, bike ride, or picnic by the lakeside.
Travel Tip: Don’t visit too many destinations in one trip. Take time, and the extra nights, to truly enjoy the surroundings and take it all in. Australia and New Zealand are large countries, so focus on a region and indulge in the experiences of that one region. You can honestly get a great feel for a country by doing this as you meet the local people, explore family owned cafes & restaurants, and become emerged in the culture and lifestyle. Resist the urge to see it all! The South Pacific is a great destination to return to year after year

SUSAN ALSBURY, Reservations Support

Hometown:  Brisbane
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Grampians National Park is one of my favourite spots.  You can pitch a tent in the bush or find a nice little cottage surrounded by beautiful scenery. The hiking is amazing and the views at the top are spectacular. You can find kangaroos grazing in the fields or koalas hidden in the trees, but you can’t beat the rainbow lorikeets who are friendly and hungry and love to join you for a meal. Halls Gap also is famed with having the best Vanilla slice in Australia, and I can attest to that.
Favorite Food: Roast Lamb with mint sauce and gravy, served with roast pumpkin, carrots, parsnip and sweet potato.
Favorite Wine: Would prefer a cold Cascade Lite, but would not turn down a Mclaren Vale Merlot.
Favorite Music: Alternative Love fast music with lots of horns. The Cat Empire are one of my favs!
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:   Bega Cheese Factory in Bega, NSW. King Island in Tasmania may have a reputation for making the best gourmet cheeses in Australia, but you can’t beat Bega for a good honest Aussie cheddar. Don’t forget to take the tour.
Travel Tip:   Don’t take things too seriously. Just go with the flow and you may be surprised where you end up.

Behind the Scenes

KIRK DEMETER, President

Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Favorite South Pacific Destination: I love them all!  But I truly enjoy the Kimberley region of Western Australia, for the remoteness and sheer beauty of the place.  You truly feel like you are on an adventure in this part of the world.
Favorite Food: Mexican, which unfortunately they don’t do so well in Australia and New Zealand (or, for that matter, Washington state)
Favorite Wine: Grant Burge “Meshach” Shiraz
Favorite Music: Alternative (be it alternative rock or alternative country); current faves are Ryan Adams, Brandi Carlile, Vampire Weekend, Kathleen Edwards, Neko Case and U2.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: That golfing on the Mornington Peninsula is unbelievably good, that being hidden away at Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island is paradise, and that getting off the beaten path in New Zealand will never disappoint, because the scenery is always amazing and the people always wonderful.
Travel Tip: Look into Premium Economy on the flights to Australia and New Zealand; the service on the carriers is great, and with some of the prices being so reasonable, it will make your trip much more enjoyable for not a lot of extra money.

MARTIN MOORE, Chief Financial Officer

Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand.
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Hard to choose but if I was forced to I would say the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand.  Unbelievable beauty but a relatively short distance to town.       
Favorite Food: Lamb salad, with fresh New Zealand produce, lamb medium-rare.  And I must put a word in for Vogel’s Bread.
Favorite Wine: Pinot Noir from Rippon Winery, Central Otago, New Zealand.
Favorite Music: Popular Rock.  Favorite musicians are Beatles, Bowie, U2, Neil Young, Mutton Birds, Split Enz, Finn Brothers.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: That travel to and from Australia/New Zealand and the USA is not the arduous journey that many think it is.  Those that say it are the ones that haven’t been!  Both ways are “red-eyes” meaning most of the time is spent asleep, and although there is a day difference the time difference is minimal so acclimating to local time is a synch.  And the service while in the air – the best in the world.
Travel Tip: Don’t try and do both NZ and Australia in one trip to the South Pacific.  Save one for later. 

LINDA FURBER, Marketing Manager

Hometown:   Toowoomba - and then all over the place after that!
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  The Cook Islands - the people are friendly, the beaches are great and the lagoon is breath-taking.
Favorite Food:  My mums’ Roast Pork and Vegies, Lambs Fry & Bacon and Red Rooster
Favorite Wine:  Malbec for winter, Sauvignon Blanc for summer - and Jim Beam year round!
Favorite Music: Anything from the 80’s, Nickelback, some Country, Classic Rock
Travel Tip: Always have some local currency on you when you land in a new country; we can never guarantee warm sunny days - so be prepared for anything and unlock your cell phone so when you travel to other countries, you can buy a local pre-paid simcard - saves a lot of time and money!

LORAN SULLIVANSales & Marketing Assistant

Hometown:   Great Falls, MT
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  As a new DUA recruit, I am yet to find a favorite destination in the South Pacific ,  but am finding my bucket list is growing on a daily basis!
Favorite Food:  Anything Italian
Favorite Wine:  No particular favorite but I am learning to enjoy wine every (Fri)day
Favorite Music: Non-twang Country and Pop
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: There is more to the Australia than just Sydney, Ayers Rock and the Great Barrier Reef
Travel Tip: Plan activities before you leave but also allow time in your schedule to explore.

JASON MESNICK, Sales Manager

   
Jason Mesnick, the reality television star of the hit ABC series, The Bachelor is Down Under Answers ambassador.  Check out Jason’s Blog - Jasons Job Blog  to learn more about Jason’s passion – travel, as he travels from the South Pacific to Africa to find his one true love, only this time it’s not a woman, it’s a destination!!!
Hometown: Kirkland, WA (Costco’s home brand)
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Without a doubt Queenstown, New Zealand
Favorite Food: Hamburger, I could eat one every day if I could
Favorite Wine: Mudbrick Reserve Syrah from Waiheke Island New Zealand (its like a Bloody Mary wine style)
Favorite Music: Old School Michael Jackson
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: Not really a secret but Queenstown is a must
Travel Tip: You regret the things in life you do not do

MARGOT WINDENBURG, Sales & Marketing Executive, Trade

Hometown: Torrance, California
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Fiji
Favorite Food: Cheese.  I love cheese, if I could have a diet that consisted of only cheese, I would be ok with that. 
Favorite Wine: Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon’, a good Shiraz from the Barossa and for white’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc’s are the best. 
Favorite Music: Anyone who knows me knows that U2 is my all time favorite, but I like a wide variety, some of my other faves would be Radiohead, Coldplay, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Smiths, REM, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga & if you want to know a weird secret about me I LOVE Dean Martin.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret: Vanuatu, the people and culture are beautiful. 
Travel Tip:  Bring at least 4 pairs of shoes, a bathing suit and a nail file.  You will use all of them.

ANITA LAN, Ticketing Manager

Hometown:  Taiwan
Favorite South Pacific Destination: New Zealand
Favorite Food: Taiwanese snacks - pancakes, spring rolls & Dan-Bin
Favorite Wine: Taiwanese Beer formerly Takasago Beer
Favorite Music: Alternative & Taiwanese
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:   The food and the friendly people!
Travel Tip:   Book early so you have a choice of airfares and seats on the plane!

JANELLE COOK,  Product Contractor

 
           
Hometown:  Sydney, Australia
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Lord Howe Island, off the east coast of Australia. It is breathtakingly beautiful, offers lots to do, is easy to get to, has all modern amenities yet lends the experience of stepping back in time.  And I love their 40 year old cats!
Favorite Food:  Australian meat pie, with tomato sauce. 
Favorite Wine:  Cab Sav.
Favorite Song: Qantas Children’s Choir version of I Still Call Australia Home. Can’t hear that without tearing up. It makes me feel both proud and homesick at the same time. 
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island. 
Travel Tip:  Don’t plan your first trip to the South Pacific as if you can only go once, you’ll be frustrated at not being able to see it all.  Australia and New Zealand aren’t a single destination; either take the time to do justice to both, or take two (or more) trips. And the Islands deserve more than a brief stopover, too.

MICHELLE LESTER-SMITH, Product Contractor

Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  There are so many but Kangaroo Island is a definite favorite!  It has some of the most amazing white sandy beaches and there is wildlife around almost every corner.
Favorite Food:  Anything from local farmers markets, direct from the supplier or something I have grown or picked myself.  There is nothing like knowing where your food is from!
Favorite Wine: Pinot Gris or Verdelho.  But a new favorite is Gewürztraminer.
Favorite Music:  Powderfinger, Woodpigeon, Band of Horses, Angus and Julia Stone, Massive Attack and Mumford and Sons.
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park.  This hidden gem is one of my favorite camping spots and waking up to have breakfast with dolphins swimming past was an absolute highlight.  I also love Coral Bay in Western Australia – this is the best snorkeling I have done and it is still a hidden secret.
Travel Tip:  Always try and explore a new area or head off the beaten path – you never know what hidden gems you will find.  And don’t try to fit everything into one trip – you will never be able to see everything that you want to see and the most exciting thing is that there will be something new to see when you come back again!

LARRY COVELL, Pacific Northwest Sales Manager

Hometown:   Seattle/Sydney
Favorite South Pacific Destination: Queenstown
Favorite Food: Hokey Pokie ice cream
Favorite Wine:Any Aussie wine will do and a cold VB
Favorite Music: AC/DC
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:   Whitsunday Islands
Travel Tip:  Get off the beaten path and explore.

KAREN TRECARTIN, California Sales Manager

Hometown: Coronado, CA, was a military family so moved around until college in Arizona, 20 years then back to Coronado where I went to high school
Favorite South Pacific Destination:  Tasmania, but I’d go back to New Zealand in a heart beat
Favorite Food:  Mexican
Favorite Wine: White wine from the Marlbourgh Region in New Zealand
Favorite Music: Both Jazz and country western
Best Kept South Pacific Secret:  Matangi Island Resort in Fiji
Travel Tip:  Always expect to “take one step forward and two back” and always have a valid passport, you never know when you may be offered a trip