Curt Armstrong is the President and Owner of The Travel Academy. He brings over 27 years of Travel Industry experience to The Travel Academy. Curt graduated from a Minnesota based travel school in 1983. His professional career in the travel industry began as the Manager for a local travel agency. He was quickly promoted to the position of Vice President of Travel Agency Operations for a 40 million dollar travel agency. Curt decided to partner with a Northwest Airlines Pilot to open a Uniglobe Travel Franchise, which grew to 9 Million in sales. He later bought out his franchise partner, and started his own American Express full-service travel agency – Adventure Travel & Cruises, American Express. His new agency also created an Independent Travel Agent branch of over 50 Independent Travel Agents. Additionally, Curt held the well respected position of Vice President of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). He also served on the UNIGLOBE Travel Franchise Board of Directors for 6 years, and was elected to the positions of Vice President and President. In addition, Curt has worked in various training capacities of travel industry. His patient and caring style of managing students, combined with his hands-on approach to assisting students with questions and concerns, will provide you with the confidence and tools needed to begin your professional travel career.Jaclyn (Jackie) Dumonceaux holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management with an Educational Psychology minor from Saint Cloud State University. She brings over 14 years of experience in the Travel Industry as The Travel Academy’s Placement Director and Flight Attendant Director. Jaclyn started her career in the Travel Industry after attending travel school in 1996. She landed her first position as a Flight Attendant with Northwest Air-link when she was 18 years old. Since that time, she has worked as a Lead Flight Attendant for corporate, commercial and charter airlines. Some of Jaclyn’s experience includes assisting with the hiring and training Flight Attendants for start-up international airline operations; working flights for the Department of Defense, the Pentagon, the Department of Justice; managing in-flight catering and in-flight service aboard private jets. Jaclyn has also lived and worked abroad in locations that include South America, Mexico, and Germany. Other travel industry experience includes; working with a cruise company in Myrtle Beach, SC and as on-site staff for a spring break tour company. In addition, Jaclyn is currently completing her Master’s Degree in College Student Affairs at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Her knowledge of professional career development strategies, combined with her employer contacts in the travel industry, will give you the edge required to successfully compete in today’s job market.
Elizabeth (Liz) Berger brings over 16 years of experience in the Travel and Tourism Industry as The Travel Academy’s Director of Education and Primary Daytime Instructor. Elizabeth started her career in the Travel and Tourism Industry with an Associates Degree in Hotel and Foodservice Management from Onondaga College in Syracuse, New York. She has experience with Front Desk Operations, Concierge, Bell Staff, and the Catering and Events departments. Elizabeth then moved into the Aviation Industry where she was a Flight Attendant for five years, and then worked as a Crew Scheduler for nearly three years where she coordinated flight crew members, ensuring all tasked and irregular operations were completed. She was then was chosen as part of an elite team of 12 managers to pioneer an all-new, high-end, client-centered transcontinental air travel service designed specifically for professional sports teams. While in that role she was tasked with the training of all new Service Managers, as well as provide recurrent training for Ground Staff at various FBO’s (Fixed Base Operations) throughout the United States. Elizabeth then moved to a position as a Corporate Travel Agent with American Express where she served as a Special Services Agent for VIP clients, arranging unique, detailed itineraries. Her varied industry experiences, along with her dynamic and innovative style of instructing will leave you with all the tools necessary to succeed in the Travel Industry.
Sheila Dahl has 34 years of experience in the Travel Industry and she is the Primary Evening and Weekend Instructor at The Travel Academy. In 1976, Sheila graduated from Stratford Women’s College/Tampa College with Diploma in Travel & Public Relations. Sheila has 20 years of Leisure Travel Agent experience with 3 highly successful travel agencies where she booked air, hotels, cruises, and package tours for her clients. Following her position as a Leisure Agent, she was hired by Sun Country Airlines and booked travel arrangements for airline customers in the Reservation’s Department. In 1999, Sheila moved into the Travel Department at Sun Country where she was responsible for the travel arrangements and flight benefits of airline employees. She was promoted to Manager of the Travel Department after just one year. In addition, Sheila was the Manager of Champion Air’s Travel Department from 2002 to 2008 where she was responsible for coordinating all of the travel arrangements for charter airline operations. Her extensive knowledge of travel agency operations and airline management experience will leave you with all the tools necessary to succeed in the Travel Industry.
