A man of the sea through and through, Greg Bombard helped build a family business that has made Catalina Island accessible to 33 million people and counting. When talking to the President and CEO of Catalina Express, his passion for the Catalina community, all things ocean-recreation related, and serving their customers shines through. Read on to learn more about the Bombard family’s deep roots in Catalina’s tourism industry and Greg’s unique perspective on hospitality in the transportation sector.

A published author and cultural heritage and sustainable tourism expert with global experience, Dr. Mechelle Best has an outsize influence on California’s travel industry. She directly shapes the next generation of hospitality professionals as the Dean of the College of Health and Human Development at California State University Northridge, a role she was recently appointed to permanently after more than two years as Interim Dean. 

Michael Krouse’s diverse professional journey rising through the ranks in California hospitality has given him a unique, well-rounded perspective of the industry. From his start as a tour bus driver and time as a hotel pro to seven years at Los Angeles Tourism and his current role at the helm of the Greater Ontario California (GO CAL) destination marketing organization, Michael has leveraged every opportunity and soaked up every experience — all the while watching the industry and marketing communications evolve over the decades.

Steve Thomas did not set out to work in the travel and tourism industry. But his natural instincts for hospitality, effective leadership skills, and knack for human resources landed him the dream role that he is thriving in today. For the past five years, he has served as General Manager of Belmont Park Entertainment, a multi-faceted collection of attractions in San Diego’s Mission Beach neighborhood. 

Dave and Roxanne Kendrick, co-founders of DogTrekker.com and longtime CalTravel members, have built a very successful and philanthropic platform to connect dog owners with pet-friendly travel destinations and experiences in the Golden State—simultaneously supporting dog rescue and adoption agencies throughout California. If you’ve attended a CalTravel Board Meeting or Summit in the past decade, chances are you’ve met (and pet!) one of their “Director of Barketing” Labrador Retrievers.

Leslee Gaul, CEO & President of Visit Oceanside, has played an instrumental role in shaping the northern San Diego County community’s development—from initiating a tourism marketing district to patiently championing two major beachfront hotel projects that recently came to fruition. A committed civic leader, skilled destination marketer, and mother of two, Gaul developed grit, resilience, and global perspective as a military spouse.