Ceo
CurrentAs a native of Kenya, I grew up with a deep fascination for the wildlife and the native cultures that were around me. I first became interested in conservation during the 1960’s when I was fortunate to collaborate with zoologists from the British Chipperfield Foundation in a project that tracked, tagged and studied elephant and rhino populations in Kenya and Uganda. Later, I participated in research projects studying lowland and mountain gorillas in the rain forests of Rwanda and Zaire. For more than a decade, I worked in the hotel hospitality industry in Kenya, and learned about all phases of the industry. In 1973, I started Big Five Tours in Nairobi with a simple idea –providing small groups of travelers with an unequaled experience of my country. I wanted to share both the natural world of East Africa but also the cultural aspects. From those early days, through Big Five, I have been able to expand a lifetime of commitment to the animals, people and natural habitats of the world. In 1985, I moved my family to the United States, establishing Big Five Tours & Expeditions’s North America operations in New York. Then, we acquired California-based operator Amtour. With that acquisition, Big Five expanded its portfolio of luxury vacations into South and Central America (including the Galapagos Islands), and Asia and the Orient. I have been privileged to serve as a judge for more than six years for the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which showcases leading examples of best practices in the travel and tourism industry. In addition, following the traditions taught to me by my father, I also support my local community in various roles. I have served on several boards of directors, including five years with the Martin Country Red Cross, four years for the Martin County Library, and one year with Atlantic India Association.
