Your Advisors
Susan Bluhm
Susan Bluhm, Vice 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.
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.
