Our Staff

Joel: Co-Founder and Chief Travel Officer. Joel graduated from law school in Chicago and practiced for over 10 years before starting Zoom Vacations. He has been passionate about travel since he was a small boy and remembers going to New York City with his mother when he was eight years old, watching his native Puerto Rico shrink in the distance. Since then, Joel's travel log includes adventure trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and exotic trips to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, Egypt, Guatemala, Mexico, and Tunisia. Joel appreciates the education he receives while traveling, as well as the opportunity to visit and experience the things he enjoys in his every day life back in the states: authentic Thai food, orchids growing naturally in the jungle, French vineyards, or historic castles and architectural masterpieces. He is also somewhat of an airline and flight guru and spends almost as much time in the air as he does on ground, scouting the best destinations and venues for gay travelers.

Bryan: Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer. Bryan has been a high school English teacher, personal trainer, model, freelance writer, and a hotel marketing and events sales manager. He grew up in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, known today as Oregon's premier wine country, and his childhood was filled with outdoors adventure. His roots in the outdoors, coupled with his inquisitive teacher's mind and his appreciation for health and fitness (as well as for fabulous hotels and resorts) have led him to adventures in every continent but Antarctica. He has toured the ancient catacombs of Rome, swam with horses where Australia's rainforest meets the reef, haggled with Hong Kong merchants, danced the Samba in Brazil, and has even studied ecology and group dynamics in a Scottish commune. In addition to his duties at Zoom Vacations, Bryan is also on the Board of the Directors of the IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association). He was one of nine travel experts featured on the Travel Chanel's hit show, "Vacation Challenge" and he is the gay travel expert for several gay online and print publications.

Lori: Travel Coordinator. Lori has worked in the Travel Industry for several years both in Hotel Management and as a Reservations Sales Manager. At one point she was the travel liaison to the White House for IHC Hotels setting up hotel stays for the President, First Lady and Executive Staff. As a customer service trainer for hotel reservations, Lori had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States. Customer service is paramount in the travel industry, and especially to Zoom Vacations. Lori brings her "guest first" mentality to everything she does at Zoom Vacations. One of Lori's most memorable International trips was a vacation to Mexico where she made it her goal to find the best Tequila in the country. She succeeded. Lori loves exploring international cuisine and recreating back home the dishes she has sampled.

Lori's industry background and attention to detail has made her a great new addition to our Zoom Vacations Team.