For Two Consecutive Years (2012 & 2013) Honored As One of the Top Travel Professionals Under 35 by Travalliance Media
Billings, MT – The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. Dan Austin, founder and CEO of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), announced this month that daughter Kasey Austin has been promoted to Vice President of Operations for this award-winning active travel company setting adventure travel standards in The Americas, Europe, Africa and Caribbean.
“Kasey exemplifies what a great employee is all about. She wakes up every day with a passion and desire to be the best of the best in her field. She takes on responsibility like most have a second cup of coffee. Bring it on is her mantra,” said Dan Austin.
Most recently she served as Field Operations Liaison, for the past two years overseeing the detailed orchestration of dozens of guides and subcontractors serving Austin-Lehman Adventures clients on five continents and in 40 unique domestic and international destinations.
She was age 6 when this family business began. Starting at age 11 she spent her summers working with the company in the office, helping occasionally on family adventure programs. Eventually Kasey assumed responsibility for running guide operations within the office and leading family trips in Yellowstone, Tetons and Alaska. She has explored Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, Germany and Holland, as well as much of the western U.S. and Canada. This spring she accompanied her father on a trip research and development mission to Australia and Tasmania.
Today she is Austin-Lehman Adventures’ primary contact and liaison for guides, in charge of the company’s Guide Quality Control Program domestically and globally. She is her father’s point person when it comes to trip development and the go-to guide to lead many custom trips and exclusive programs.
“As it gets easier in our schools to bring the globe to a classroom with modern technology, you just can’t replace an authentic, hands-on cultural experience somewhere outside your comfort zone,” said Kasey. “My brother and I have been fortunate to learn about life and other cultures on the road, on some pretty incredible trips.”
In July it will be announced that Kasey Austin was named for the second consecutive year, one of the top young travel industry professionals age 35 and under by Travalliance Media (publishers of Vacation Agent and Agent@Home magazines).
Kasey graduated in 2011 as a Presidential Leadership Scholar at the University of Montana in Missoula with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She is an accomplished writer and photographer and competes in biking, skiing, running and mountain events. She is a member of the Billings Bike Committee engaged in making Billings a top bicycle-friendly community.