THE MAST TEAM
THE MAST TEAM
John Werner, CTC, VTA
President & COO
(630) 889-9817 x121
John Werner, CTC, VTA, President & COO
As a 44 year veteran of the travel industry and the President of MAST Travel Network since 2002, John’s career has included 14 years as a travel agency owner. He has served in various capacities on the Board of the Midwest Chapter of ASTA including Treasurer and Vice President and serves as Vice Chairman of ASTA Headquarters’ Consortia Committee. John has also held several positions on the Board of Directors for MAST including Vice Chairman and Board Chairman during the years he owned Travel Group International, a MAST member during the 1990s. As President & COO, John is responsible for member relations, speaking and training at MAST events and workshops, supplier relations, contracting MAST sales and marketing agreements, working with the Board of Directors and Board Committees, Public Relations, strategic planning and overseeing the day-to-day operations of MAST Headquarters and the team of professionals working on behalf of MAST members and suppliers.
Donna Zizek, VTA
Director of Marketing & Supplier Relations
(630) 889-9817 x123
Donna Zizek, Director of Marketing & Supplier Relations
After helping out at her grandfather’s travel agency early on, Donna utilized her Marketing Degree from DePaul University to gain industry experience while working at MTI Vacations for 10 years in different marketing and creative services roles. Afterwards, she moved on to marketing positions in the retail and home construction industries and managed her own marketing services business working with small businesses and non-profit organizations. In Donna's return to the travel industry, she now works with MAST's preferred suppliers to negotiate marketing plans and schedule activities that fund and determine their participation in various marketing and training opportunities with MAST throughout the year. Donna also manages various supplier promotions and marketing tactics including exclusive MAST incentives and advisor booking incentives, puts together Featured Supplier and Supplier Marketing Campaigns to offer impromptu promotions, manages online consumer travel nights and develops marketing tools that our members can utilize to generate sales for various destinations and products. Donna is also involved in social media activities, target marketing, member events and generates campaigns to help MAST reach quarterly and annual sales goals.
Stephanie Werner, VTA
Director of Operations & Member Affairs
(630) 889-9817 x127
Stephanie Werner, Director of Membership & Brand Strategy
Stephanie grew up in the travel industry with both her mother and father in the business. A graduate of Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois, with a degree in Communications, Stephanie started her career in Inside Sales with Mayflower Tours. In 2014, Stephanie was hired by MAST Travel Network in an administrative position. After taking on a few different roles throughout the company in the graphic design, marketing, and communications areas, as well as spending a short time working on the convention and visitors bureau side of the industry, Stephanie has found her way back to MAST as the Director of Membership & Brand Strategy. Stephanie participates in ASTA Headquarter's Consortia Committee and Young Professionals Society, and sits as Committee Chair for the JV Program, an organization for MAST affiliated travel professionals under the age of 40. Stephanie is responsible for overseeing the Membership Department and facilitating, enhancing, and optimizing, ongoing projects. She acts as a member liaison, hearing the ongoing needs of members and suppliers and communicating and implementing tasks within the MAST staff to fulfill those needs. She is heavily involved in business development, membership recruitment, consumer awareness initiatives, developing sales tools, providing content for communications and print collateral, and evolving MAST’s brand strategy on both the member-facing and consumer-facing side.
Pam Romani
Sr. Manager - Host Agency & Cruise Programs
(630) 889-9817 x122
Pam Romani, Host Agency & Support Services Manager
Pam is a Chicagoland native, calling it her home except for the 2 years she lived in New Orleans. Growing up in her family's flower shop, she learned hard work and exceeding customer expectations at an early age. When the opportunity was offered to her at a family friend's local travel agency, Pam jumped at the chance to be a part of the travel industry! Overall she has been working in travel for almost 30 years, including leisure and corporate agencies, American Hawaii Cruises, American Orient Express and Mayflower Tours. Starting as a reservation agent and leisure consultant, she quickly grew her skills and moved into management for each company she has worked for. Prior to joining MAST, Pam has most recently worked in the international shipping and automotive marketing industries. She is excited to be back in the travel industry, where her heart has always been happy!
Matt Hutten, VTA
Digital Strategy & Technology Manager
(630) 889-9817 x132
Matt Hutten, Creative Strategy & Analytics Manager
Matt joined the MAST Team in February 2020. Crossing over in both the Marketing and Membership Departments, Matt's tasks include creating strategic digital and print content, SEO, and Analytical ROI Reporting for Member and Supplier investment. His goal is to deliver unique content that showcases what MAST has to offer. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications & Media from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. His professional experience includes various marketing roles at companies in the tech, construction, and travel industries. Matt will also be assisting in event planning and the audio/visual needs of all upcoming MAST events.
Kathleen DiBacco
Accounting Manager
(630)-889-9817 x126
Kathleen DiBacco, Accounting Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Courtney Simpson
Partner Marketing Manager
(630) 889-9817 x130
Courtney Simpson, Partner Marketing Manager
Courtney moved to the Chicagoland area from Central Pennsylvania in July of 2019. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a minor in Management. Having a wide range of work experience from the sports industry to the medical industry, she brings her communication and marketing skills to MAST. Courtney is your contact for anything regarding member communications and website access. She is responsible for keeping track of MAST’s Member Rewards Program and sending out email communications to the membership. Members can contact her with any questions regarding their Agency’s MAST Rewards status or if you have new employees or ICs with your agency that need access to mvptravel.com.
Mary Clegg
Manager of Training/Education & Supplier Support
(630) 889-9817 x137
Mary Clegg, Agency Training & Technology Solutions Manager
With 30 plus years of experience in the travel industry Mary is excited to be joining the team at the MAST Travel Network in 2022 as the Agency Training & Technology Solutions Manager. She has been involved in the travel industry as a Travel Advisor, BDM with major cruise lines including, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line and Commodore Cruise Line. Additionally, Mary was the Head of NACTA the National Association of Career Travel Agents the homebased agent division of ASTA and was responsible for all aspects of the daily operations of the organization including Marketing, Member Relations, Training, Public Relations and working with NACTA Chapter Directors and the ASTA Board of Directors. Mary has two children Sean and Katy and resides in the Northern Suburbs of Chicago.
Cara McCurdy
Social Media Manager & Content Creator
(630) 889-9817 x133
Cara McCurdy, Social Media Manager & Content Creator
Cara McCurdy moved to the Chicagoland area in January of 2019 after she graduated from the University of Central Florida. She studied Exercise Science and Sports Business Management while interning with Orlando Magic, Orlando City Soccer Club, and Orlando City Sports Commission focusing on event logistics, marketing, and corporate partnerships. Cara’s professional experience includes sales and territory management at Southern Wine and Spirits and professional development recruiting for Purdue University. She has a passion for experiencing new places, learning different cultures and is thrilled to be the Social Media Manager and Content Creator for MAST Travel Network!
Kayleigh Miessler
Digital Marketing Coordinator
(630) 889-9817 x138
Kayleigh Miessler, Digital Marketing Coordinator
As a communication student at Missouri State University, Kayleigh joined the MAST team in January of 2023 to use her skillset to carry out administrative duties for the team. She has a passion for travel as well as an extensive background in digital marketing, media management, and strategies for public relations. Previously, she attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism where she copy-edited the student run newspaper and took various courses on visual and print media. In May of 2021, she received her Associate Degree of Art from The College of DuPage. Her responsibilities as administrative assistant include aiding in email campaigns, newsletter production, and facilitating meetings and events, along with fostering supplier and member coordination through managing reporting and database updates. As she is expected to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies in May of 2023, she offers a confidently fresh outlook on integrated multimedia marketing as well as modern travel motivations.
Nani Pickell
Target Marketing Specialist
(630) 889-9817 x135
Nani Pickell, Target Marketing Specialist
Nani has worked in the Travel Marketing and Consortia industry for the past 10 years, coming previously from the Accounting and Banking professions. She started her Travel marketing and technology experience when she was recruited for a Marketing Manager position with TRAMS/ClientBase and has been with MAST Travel Network since 2016. Nani currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two children. Nani is the Target Marketing Specialist for MAST and oversees the demographic targeting for members of their Direct Mail marketing clients. For new members interested in participating in the print marketing program, Nani will set up all call-to-action information for the print-marketing materials. She also assists members with choosing which clients to target from their ClientBase profiles for specific marketing promotions. Nani can also assist members with most questions regarding ClientBase Windows and ClientBase Online. Any questions on the MAST-Hosted ClientBase for Direct-Mail Marketing can also be addressed to her.
Kara Rothkegel
Member Recruitment & Account Manager
(630) 889-9817 x136
Kara Rothkegel, Member Recruitment & Account Manager
Kara, a Wisconsin native, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2016. Her passion for travel began during a study abroad program in Florence, Italy. After college, she moved to Belgium, working as a corporate English trainer and spent her weekends exploring Europe with her husband. Kara returned to Wisconsin at the end of 2017 and joined her parents’ travel agency, where she progressed from a travel consultant to the group travel coordinator. She enjoyed creating memorable itineraries for travelers, managing logistics, and building strong relationships with clients and suppliers.
At MAST, Kara serves as the Member Recruitment & Account Manager. She specializes in member recruitment by developing strategies and materials, managing leads, onboarding new members, and representing MAST at industry trade shows. Additionally, she connects with current members, ensures their participation in MAST’s programs, and mentors agencies to grow sales through MAST initiatives.
Tina Gruman
Manager of Meetings & Events
(630) 889-9817 x139
Tina Gruman, Manager of Meetings & Events
Tina Gruman possesses 19+ years in the hospitality industry having held positions as Global Event Strategist for Maritz, Account Executive for various Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Meetings and Events director for The Schaumburg Business Association and Coldwell Banker Corporate Real Estate, as well as a Sales Manager for Loews hotels, Hilton Hotels and La Quinta Inns & Suites and is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago.
Having worked on both the planner and supplier side, she brings extensive "hands on" experience to her clients and is an active participant of numerous industry associations in including MPI, PCMA and Association Forum. She loves creating memorable and unique experiences for her clients meetings. She resides in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with her husband and their Jack Russell Terrier, Ellie. She enjoys dining al fresco, the sun/beach, traveling, yoga, and a healthy lifestyle.
Tina is responsible for MASTs 30+ annual meetings and events, working closely with the MAST team to create and host world-class events for the membership, and working with supplier partners to create unrivaled, educational opportunities.
Board of Directors
Jenny Cagle
Chairman & CEO
Elm Grove Travel
Elm Grove, WI
Jeni Chaffer
Vice Chairman
Journeys Travel Inc.
Bourbonnais, IL
Cindy Brown
Secretary
Oui Travel
Batavia, IL
Geoff Hendren
Treasurer
Bon Voyage Boutique Travel LLC
Neenah, WI
Patty DeRoo
Crystal Lake Travel
Crystal Lake, IL
Bernice Bakley
Huntley Travel
Huntley, IL
Jennifer Walker, CTIE, VTA
Jennifer Walker Travel
Washington, IL
Kelly Ortiz, VTA
Guru Travel
Elgin, IL
Rosann Corpolongo
Eclipse Travel
Homer Glen, IL
Committees
Marketing Committee
Chaired by Patty DeRoo
Crystal Lake Travel
Crystal Lake, IL
Finance Committee
Chaired by Geoff Hendren
Bon Voyage Boutique Travel LLC
Neenah, WI
Supplier Review Committee
Chaired by Cindy Brown
Oui Travel
Batavia, IL
Meetings & Events Committee
Chaired by Jeni Chaffer
Journeys Travel Inc.
Bourbonnais, IL
Membership Committee
Chaired by Bernice Bakley
Huntley Travel
Huntley, IL
Technology Committee
Chaired by Kelly Ortiz, VTA
Guru Travel
Elgin, IL
Education Committee
Chaired by Jennifer Walker, CTIE, VTA
Jennifer Walker Travel
Washington, IL
Luxury Committee
Chaired by Rosann Corpolongo
Eclipse Travel
Homer Glen, IL
