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Cary Travel Express is family-owned and was started by Neelie Kruse in 1989.  Neelie grew up in Fox River Grove, Illinois and graduated from Cary Grove High School in 1978.  Neelie lives in Cary, Illinois with her husband and two teenage sons.  She is the director of the Cary Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Lighthouse Networking Group, and is extremely active in the community.  Neelie loves to travel and escort groups.  She has traveled all over Europe, China, Japan, Korea, South America, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska and Hawaii.

Neelie Kruse, Owner, CTC  

Everyone at Cary Travel Express loves to travel, and Neelie's staff is excited to bring their personal travel experiences and knowledge to you!  Cary Travel Express has many agents that specialize in specific destinations who are happy to present you with many ideas to help you with any of your travel plans.  The staff at Cary Travel Express pride themselves on personalized service from individual clients to large groups.  Come join us on one of our groups, or stop in and visit us to plan your getaway!

Neelie Kruse, Owner, CTC - Neelie is the president and founder of Cary Travel Express.  She has been in the travel industry for over 30 years and started Cary Travel Express in 1989, making this her 23rd year in business.  Her favorite destinations are Hawaii, all over Europe, Africa, Greece and Turkey.  She is also a Sandals Certified Specialist (Lifetime Goldmember since 1998) and a Destination Weddings Specialist.  Neelie attributes the 23-year success of her agency to the small town atmosphere and friendly people of Cary, having won the MAST Top Agent Award for the last 6 years.  Neelie's staff brings personalized service and personal travel knowledge that their clients find very reassuring.  Neelie is also a director of the Cary Grove Chamber of Commerce.  Contact e-mail:  neelie@carytravelexpress.com

Margaret Skoulund, Travel Agent - Margaret is a native of the Cary/Fox River Grove area.  She has been with Cary Travel Express since February 1989.  Her specialty is leisure vacations, honeymoons and cruises.  She has traveled to Hawaii, Costa Rica, the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Ixtapa and Huatulco in Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Las Vegas, Alaska, and has taken cruises on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Princess.  Margaret holds the following certifications:  Carnival Cruises, Princess Commodore Agent, Sandals Certified Specialist, Royal Caribbean University Expert Certification, Aruba Certified Agent, Outrigger Resorts Specialist, Apple Vacation Specialist and Destinations Wedding Specialist, Palace Resort Specialist, AM Resorts Master Agent, Hawaii Specialist, RIU Resorts Specialist, and UniWorld River Cruise Specialist.  Margaret is also a five time recipient of the MAST Outstanding Travel Agent Sales Award.  Contact e-mail:  marg@carytravelexpress.com

Diane Rowe, Travel Agent - This is Diane's 30th year as a travel consultant.  She joined the Cary Travel Express team in 1994.  Her favorite travel destinations are Europe and Hawaii.  This will be Diane's 12th year escorting our annual tour to Ireland.  Contact e-mail:  diane@carytravelexpress.com

Gail Timmer, Travel Agent - Gail has been a travel consultant for over 20 years.  Her favorite destinations are Walt Disney World and St. Lucia.  Contact e-mail:  gail@carytravelexpress.com

Carolyn Cuttle, Travel Agent - Carolyn works part-time here at Cary Travel Express.  She lives in Sun City Huntley and has worked in the travel industry for the last 15 years.  She loves to travel.  With 18 cruises, she is extremely knowledgeable to their unique characteristics.  She has traveled to Europe, China, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Australia, South America as well as many Caribbean islands, Mexico, Costa Rica and Canada.  When asked her favorite travel destination, she has to admit that for sheer relaxation, she loves Tahiti.  Carolyn believes for adventure and learning, there are many options for travelers based on their likes and interests.  She also has an interesting work history.  She has worked with mentally handicapped children and adults, has taught gifted education and pre-school.  She has sold real estate and has been an underwriter for residential mortgages for 15 years.  Carolyn is married and has three daughters and six grandchildren.  She owns a horse that she loves to ride.  Contact e-mail:  carolyn@carytravelexpress.com

Mary Jo Babiarz, Travel Agent - Mary Jo has been in the travel business since 2005.  Her love of travel has taken her to destinations such as Hawaii, many Caribbean islands, several Mediterranean port cities, and lots of Mexican vacation destinations.  Matching clients with the perfect trip is what Mary Jo loves to do.  She is particularly knowledgeable about the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but has extended knowledge in the Caribbean as well.  Mary Jo strives to bring you the latest and greatest information by maintaining a strong network with the tour operators, attending courses, and receiving certifications in many destinations.  Mary Jo loves taking a lot of pictures so she can share first hand what she has experienced with you.  Contact e-mail:  maryjo@carytravelexpress.com

Dana Prichard, Travel Agent - Dana recently joined Cary Travel Express.  Dana has been in the travel industry since 1999.  Her travels have included Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Aruba, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Disney World, Las Vegas and Caribbean cruises.  Dana can help make all your vacation dreams come true.  Many of her clients are repeat customers and referrals who have had the time of their lives while on vacation.  Dana can customize any vacation package to the latest and greatest "hot" destination.  Dana grew up in Cary and attended Cary Grove High School.  She and her husband have five grown daughters, two sons-in-law, a grandson, and reside in Woodstock.  Contact e-mail:  dana@carytravelexpress.com

Ursula Mata, Travel Agent - Ursula Mata has worked in the travel industry for 7 years.  She was born in Switzerland, and now lives in Elgin with her husband and two daughters.  Her passion and specialty is Hawaii, having just recently completed the destination specialist certification courses while in Kauai and Oahu.  She has visited Maui and Oahu numerous times, in addition to Molokai and the Big Island of Hawaii.  She concentrates on helping honeymooners, anniversary couples, and families determine which island paradise is best suited to their desires.  She enjoys recommending “off the beaten path” restaurants and activities to make their trip truly memorable.  She also specializes in Mexico, having traveled extensively to the beach resort areas of Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco as well as exploring the rich history and colonial charm of cities like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Taxco, and Mexico City.  Ursula has visited the Caribbean Islands of Jamaica, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico and St. Martin, and is a Sandals Certified Specialist.  She also enjoys cruising and is a Royal Caribbean cruise expert, and books group cruise travel with all the major cruise lines.  Contact e-mail:  ursula@carytravelexpress.com

Carol Caponigro - Carol works here part-time on our website, computer issues, database management and marketing assistance. Carol has traveled to Hawaii several times, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, Walt Disney World, Las Vegas, many other states and just recently Ireland.  She looks forward to traveling a lot more and would like to go to Italy someday.  Carol is also a Jazzercise Instructor in the area.  Contact e-mail:  carol@carytravelexpress.com

Kathy Kadlec - Kathy is part of the Marketing Team at Cary Travel Express. Kathy has over 20 years experience in marketing, retail sales and management.  Her passion is promoting Cary Travel Express’ brand and our expertise and knowledge in planning the perfect vacation for our clients!  Kathy loves to travel to warm, sunny destinations and has been on the past six spring break trips with Cary Travel Express.  Her favorite beach destination is Cancun!  Kathy is married to John Kadlec, and they live in Cary with their five children.  In her spare time, Kathy is a Cary-Grove High School Football Mom!  Contact e-mail:  kathy@carytravelexpress.com