Randy Kramer

Randy Kramer, Co-President and Co-Owner of Stellar Travel, hails from Fargo, North Dakota. He started his career in the travel industry at Cascade Airways. In 1983, seeking business opportunities, Randy purchased a small travel agency in Redmond, WA. Travel Source quickly built a loyal corporate and vacation following. In 2003, Randy and Susan Bluhm purchased Stellar Travel in Bellevue. Randy shares executive responsibilities with Susan and together they have grown the company into the 9th largest travel agency in the Puget Sound region.

Susan Bluhm

Susan Bluhm, Co-President and Co-Owner of Stellar Travel, is responsible for managing Human Resources, Marketing and Client Services at Stellar Travel. Susan also held positions in multi-state training, consulting and division management with P&L responsibility for a $15 million corporate travel department; and in regional sales for a worldwide car rental company. Susan was named “Business Owner of the Year – 1995” by the Washington and Oregon chapters of the International Franchise Association”. She was a nominee of the Seattle Chapter of the Executive Women Golf Association for “Businesswoman of the Year 2006”. Golf is one of Susan’s passions and she is a certified Golf Tourism Specialist, consulting with select clients for their worldwide golf vacations. With her husband Ron, she has played on courses in China, Egypt, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the U.S.

Kay Steck

Kay Steck is a native of Kirkland, WA. A graduate of the Travel Institute in Seattle, she has worked in the travel industry since 1983. Kay’s broad experience in the corporate travel business includes deep understanding and practice at the management level in incentive and group travel; account and expense management; and operations management. Kay has served her corporate clients as an onsite and reservations center agent and manager, and she has worked extensively with destinations management organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and suppliers including air, ground and cruise operators. Kay’s background also includes VIP and executive travel management responsibilities.

Charlene Igou

Charlene Igou brings 25 years’ experience to her work as a corporate reservations counselor for Stellar Travel. Charlene started her career in the travel business in an office support role, and is now one of our most experienced international corporate agents. She has served Stellar Travel’s corporate customers onsite and in our reservations department, has broad experience working with both domestic and international travel itineraries, and has served as a corporate reservations manager, Charlene works frequently with group and incentive travel requests. Charlene is a diligent trouble shooter and expertly manages relationships between suppliers and customers, as well as handling quality control of corporate reservations.

Tim Thirkield

Tim Thirkield transitioned from a career in legal services to a career as a travel agent in June of 1999. Originally a leisure agent specializing in international itineraries, Tim quickly gravitated to the complicated, demanding and rapid-fire corporate side of the business, where he brings his passion for travel and professional service to bear on complex domestic and international itineraries. Tim’s attention to detail, speedy response time and deep understanding of the logistics of travel are an enormous asset to his VIP, executive and professional services clients. Tim’s home is in Seattle, but he has traveled extensively all over the world.

Karen Yeakel

Karen is an enthusiastic luxury travel advisor with an extensive travel background.  Accredited as a Master Cruise Counselor, she knows just the right ship to recommend for her discriminating cruise clients.  She is a specialist for Europe travel, with an emphasis on Italy and France, planning journeys of discovery while using exclusive connections for unique private tours and authentic experiences. As a Spa Finder certified spa specialist, she expertly plans spa, wellness and relaxation travel worldwide.  Karen has received numerous awards from travel suppliers for sales and service achievement. From tee times in Hawaii to renting the ideal villa in Tuscany, Karen enjoys anticipating her client’s needs and arranging tailor-made experiences.

Rita Goldman

Rita Goldman received her ‘CTC’ – Certified Travel Counselor – certification (often referred to as the Master’s Degree of the travel industry) midway through her 39 (!)-year career in the travel business. She specializes in worldwide independent itineraries and enjoys helping her clients find that special destination, resort, hotel, or villa that will make each trip memorable.  Rita also specializes in all cruise lines, Mexico, Hawaii and Europe.  Whether it is a quick weekend get away or the trip of a lifetime to some exotic destination, Rita’s clients know they can depend on her destination knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to making each of their trips a wonderful experience.

Sheryl Graddon

Sheryl is a Washington native and has been in the travel industry full time since 1986. She got the “travel bug” at an early age because her mother was an airline employee, which started her love of anything travel related. Sheryl’s expertise is widespread with personal travel to all corners of the globe. Including: Hawaii, Europe, Mediterranean, Tahiti, Asia, New Zealand, the Baltic & more. Sheryl has cruised on all major cruise lines with on over 70 cruises world-wide. She is a certified Disney, Hawaii & Cruise Specialist along with having earned her Virtuoso Accreditation. She was selected as one of 12 Silversea Cruises Local Business Development agents receiving extensive training and access to top-level service support. If your travel dreams include private around the world jet travel, family travel, or cruising, Sheryl is able to plan the perfect get-away for 1-100 or more.

Denise Larson

A travel industry veteran, Denise Larson says that ‘travel is not just my job, it’s my passion. I enjoy encouraging my clients to try new and unique destinations.’ Denise has experienced many destinations first hand, including China, Tahiti, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Disney resorts and cruises. She has completed extensive Spain travel and training to receive Virtuoso Spain Specialist designation. Denise has traveled the world with her husband and children and knows what it takes to make family vacations an exciting experience they will never forget. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting her new grandbaby, riding in motorcycle charity events, boating and reading novels.

Lane Ottaway

Lane Ottaway is Stellar Travel’s accounting lead. His account management roles include client billing, supporting our clients’ expense management systems, and supporting our travel counselors. He also manages other in-house accounting duties. Lane studied Interior Design and Culinary Arts before settling on a financial services career managing expenses for high net worth investors at the Trust Company of Washington. He comes to Stellar Travel with a hospitality background as well, reconciling incentive travel and client benefits for Westin Hotels. Lane has extensive travel experience in Europe and the Americas, and lived in Catania and Palermo, and in Reggio Calabria, in Italy.

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