Cartersville-Bartow Chamber

About Us and Our Team

Learn about our team! Each of us has our specialties and there is an agent for you, no matter what type of travel you are looking for.

About Us

About Jon Lapp - Owner

About Jon Lapp

Co-owner / Travel Specialist
River Cruises, Guided Tours, and All-inclusives

Before deciding to join his wife in the travel industry and open an agency, Jon has had a variety of careers. From working at a power company, to twenty plus years in IT, and even as a Maintenance Manager for a plastics company, he has plenty of opportunity to travel domestically.

For the 2 years leading up to opening the agency, Jon worked part-time for another travel agency as an independent agent with Jo’El.

Jon has enjoyed traveling most of his adult life and wants to help others experience a world that they would not otherwise see. He uses his own travel experiences to guide him in his research for others.

Experiencing the history and culture in Europe and relaxing in the Caribbean are his favorite things to do.

Certifications
Jo'El Lapp - Owner

About Jo'El Lapp

Co-owner / Travel Specialist
Autism Certified, River Cruises, and All-inclusives

Jo’El has had a busy life with many careers, from Federal Law Enforcement to livestock farming. Most of her job focus has been in sales and she understands the importance of great customer service. Jo’El is also obsessive with details giving credence to her type-A personality.

She absolutely loves to travel and go on adventures, but the trips are planned in detail with a little wiggle room as plans and desires might change. In designing a vacation, she wants to be certain that your wants, needs, and desires are met, and she cannot wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!

She has two daughters 21 and 15, so she understands planning travel that fits every traveler. She is even known to text a client at the airport to be certain everything is off to a great start.

Destinations are fascinating and her bucket list is huge. Sending her clients to faraway places on dream vacations is the next best thing to going herself.

Certifications
Ginger McClure

About Ginger McClure

Disney and Universal Specialist
Disney and Universal

A native Georgian, born in Marietta and moved to Rome in 2002. Attended both the University of Georgia and Kennesaw State University prior to marriage and children.

I became interested in traveling not long after college, especially beaches around the world.

She LITERALLY became obsessed with Walt Disney World when her children were young.

Absolutely, positively LOVE helping other families put together MAGICAL, memory-filled vacations to The Happiest Place on Earth!

Certifications
Valerie Thomas

About Valerie Thomas

Travel Specialist
Adult Only All-inclusive and Family All-inclusive

My name is Valerie Thomas. I am a proud wife of over 27 years and mother of two adult children. I am also the co-owner of a real estate investment company. In my spare time, I enjoy being with my family, working out, and rewatching my favorite movies.

My niche in the travel agency business is family travel. I love to travel with my family and would like to make your family vacation planning as smooth and exciting as possible.

Certifications
David Jahner

About David Jahner

Travel Specialist
Escorted Tours in German Speaking Countries, River Cruises, and Planning Road Trips

I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota in the shadow of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills. After growing up with countless weekends camping and exploring the Black Hills, Badlands, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons, I traveled to Germany during the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. That experience established a career trajectory that continues to this day.

After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College (SD) and Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota, I embarked on a thirty-year career in world language education that included teaching German, serving as the world language curriculum coordinator for the largest school district in Georgia, and working with the Advanced Placement World Languages and Cultures program with the College Board.

I have traveled to all fifty states and to more than forty countries and am eager to design a personalized experience for you and your group, whether it be exploring your German heritage or off the beaten path German wine growing regions, or helping you make the most out of your bucket list destination.

Check out my most recent travel adventures on my travel blog: https://www.davidstravelblog.com/ or visit my website at David’s Travel Services

As the famous German author, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe says, “You’re not traveling in order to arrive but in order to travel.”

Certifications

About Jennifer Gilleland

Travel Specialist
All-inclusives, Ocean Cruises, Disney, and River Cruises

Jennifer has been a dental hygienist for nearly 30 years. She loves educating patients and helping them achieve dental health. However, patient care can be stressful, so she turns to travel to unwind.

She loves all types of travel and especially loves researching destinations. Whatever your travel interests are she might have already gone or is planning to go!

She has been married for over 30 years to Todd and they have two children. A daughter Taylor and her husband Brandon and their two little girls, Evelyn and Ella. And a son, Braden, who is a graduate student. Her hobbies are flower gardening, reading and playing with her two Labrador retrievers Sydney and Oakley.

Certifications
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