Travel Leaders – Discovery World Travel Under New Ownership

From left: Tom Karnes, Sara Kelderman, Monica Karnes, Michelle Payette

Since our establishment in 1976, Travel Leaders - Discovery World Travel has been dedicated to creating unforgettable memories for travelers worldwide. As a family-run business, we've taken pride in delivering personalized customer service with a small-town touch.

As we transition into a new chapter, our long-time owners Dale Rauwerdink and the Prigge family have carefully planned for their retirement. They sought a team they knew would uphold the company's values and continue providing exceptional service to our customers. Their journey led them to Tom & Monica Karnes, the owners of LaMacchia Travel in Kenosha, WI.

Recognizing the importance of additional industry expertise, Tom and Monica enlisted Michelle Payette and Sara Kelderman to ensure the continued success of Travel Leaders – Discovery World Travel.  With this partnership, a new era has begun.  Brian Hurley, current EVP, will continue to stay on at Travel Leaders – Discovery World as a consultant.  We are excited that we will continue to be able to utilize his partnerships, relationships, and expertise as we head into the future.

The decision to pass the torch to Tom, Monica, Michelle, and Sara was made with confidence. This new ownership team shares our commitment to employee satisfaction, community involvement, and above all, customer care.

On May 1, 2024, we officially announced the transition to our valued customers.

Meet Tom & Monica Karnes

With roots deep in the travel industry dating back to 1983, Tom and Monica Karnes began their journey with LaMacchia Travel and The Mark Travel Corporation. In 2009, they seized the opportunity to purchase the family business, becoming the third-generation owners of LaMacchia Travel in Kenosha, WI, a legacy established in 1931. Since then, they've transformed their single storefront into a thriving enterprise. Alongside their entrepreneurial endeavors, raising their three daughters (Cassidy, Emma & Lily) has been one of their most cherished achievements.

Get to Know Michelle Payette

Michelle boasts over 20 years of active involvement in the travel industry. Her career commenced as a front-line travel agent under Tom & Monica's mentorship. She later transitioned to the tour operator sector, spending seven years in Business Development with Apple Leisure Group (formerly The Mark Travel Corporation). Eager for new challenges, Michelle then spent five years with Playa Hotels & Resorts, initially as a sales manager before assuming a Wedding Specialist role.

Returning to her roots in the travel agency domain, Michelle now co-owns Travel Leaders - Discovery World Travel. She leads our vacation and group travel division, as well as overseeing HR functions for the business. Her genuine passion for customer service and travel is evident, reflected in her hobby of exploring new destinations. Michelle looks forward to sharing her adventures and expertise with our customers.

Introducing Sara Kelderman

Sara is a seasoned travel industry executive, spending 24 years with the Mark Travel Corporation/ALG Vacations.  She began her career in revenue management before transitioning into a Product Manager role.  A dynamic and driven leader, Sara moved into the sales side of the business, where she tackled many different roles including the Director of Sales and Senior Director of Travel Agency Strategy, amongst others, proving she was capable of tackling whatever opportunity was thrown her way. Her strategic vision and comprehensive understanding of B2B marketing ultimately led to her appointment as Vice President of Travel Agency Strategy.

A numbers girl at heart, Sara will oversee accounting and payroll, marketing and operations for the agency.  Her expertise on the B2B side of the business also makes her the perfect fit to lead the corporate travel division of TL Discovery World Travel.

Sara resides with her family in the Fox Cities.  Don’t be surprised if you see her face at baseball and softball fields around the community!

Thank You from Travel Leaders - Discovery!

From left; Brian Hurley, Sara Kelderman, Dale Rauwerdink, Michelle Payette, Tom Karnes, Monica Karnes