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The Aquila difference begins with our team of spirited, devoted professionals who truly love what they do. Each member of the Aquila team has the experience, dedication and enthusiasm to bring quality, value and fun to your Aquila experience. Meet our Aquila team. Beth
Kelly Hatt
Aquila’s founder and owner, Beth has affectionately been nicknamed by the Aquila team as “Our Fearless Leader”. She is responsible for leading our company overall, as well as mentoring team members into leaders themselves. A visionary not just for her business, but for her industry and her community, Beth is also a leader in both the tourism industry and the local business community. In fact, Beth has quite a reputation for making things happen, prompting one fellow board member to recently inquire as to whether Saint John area souvenir shops would soon be selling “Beth Kelly Action Figures” on their shelves. Beth’s Favourite Thing about Working at Aquila: “The energy of the team and how much fun we have together. It keeps me going and is so rewarding.” Beth’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “Being able to see something that started from a seed grow to what Aquila is today, to see people grow and change with us over the years, and now to see the success of the mentoring and succession planning taking on a whole new life!”
Aquila’s second in command, Gail’s contagious laugh is a wonderful part of the soundtrack in the Aquila office. Gail is currently assuming a larger leadership role within Aquila, handling HR, partnerships, and generally working to absorb everything that’s in Beth’s brain. A member of the Aquila Team since 1996, Gail has been integral to the company’s growth, and like Beth, she plays active roles in the tourism industry and business community. And she’s also kept very active by her adorable little girl, Athena, who is already walking and talking and (can you believe it?) proving to be quite independent! Gail’s Favourite Thing about Working at Aquila: “The Aquila Family – we have fun and I’m always learning from them. Also, I love that every day is different. It doesn’t feel like going to work at all!” Gail’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “Wow, that is a tough one, as there have certainly been a few! But I have to say our 20th Birthday Celebration, when I was leading the ‘How many people can you fit in the bug?’ game. I was getting nervous when there were 13 people in the NEW Aquila VW Bug and the roof was starting to cave!”
A member of the Aquila Team since 1992, Melanie has come a long way from her early days at Aquila as a student tour guide, complete with Loyalist dress! Today, Melanie plays an active role in Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence, coaching and mentoring tour operators and destinations on providing service excellence to cruise lines. She is also Aquila’s communications director, a role that ranges from web-mistress to writer-in-residence. However, Melanie will be away from Aquila for most of 2008, as in February, she and her husband Mike are expecting their first baby! Mel’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “The fabulous girls I work with. They make me laugh, they hold me up, they help me see things in new ways, and they teach me so much – including things I never thought I’d need to know!” Mel’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “There are so many! But I’d say one has to be the marriage proposal from the very wealthy Australian Sheep Farmer on one of my tours. Tempting offer!”
Spirited and fun-loving, Sarah’s experience and enthusiasm is evident in all of her roles at Aquila, which include managing Aquila’s trolley charters and Saint John programs, managing Aquila’s pier-side program, and an array of special projects. A valued member of the Aquila team since 2002, Sarah is also responsible for team communication, which involves everything from taking Aquila newbies under her wing and showing them the ropes to ensuring that we’re all participating in the fun activities she plans, like “Secret Cupid” or “Watercooler Wednesdays”. Sarah’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “The Aquila Family!! Each day we always share a good laugh, and it feels like a second family to me – just like sisters that you’re safe to bicker and cry with, but that you’re usually laughing with!” Sarah’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “I was working at the Pier on Cruise Ship day when the Queen Mary II came in, and at the end of the day, I was asked if I wanted to go on board and have a tour. I was thrilled!”
An Aquila Team member since 1993, Jennifer is currently pursuing her degree in Sociology, and she has plans for the future that include working with the disadvantaged and underrepresented in our community. She returned to university in 2005, but we’re thrilled that she continues to work with Aquila. In addition to being our bookkeeper, balancing Aquila’s books when she’s not studying her own, Jennifer is taking a little break from her studies and will be returning to Aquila full time in the spring of 2008 to help us through our busy Cruise season! Jen’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “I could say ‘my wonderful family of co-workers’, or perhaps ‘the incredible life changing opportunities that are around every corner’, or even something like ‘the knowledge that working at Aquila allows me to find a balance in my life between passion and work’, but let’s be honest - it’s the new coffee maker!” Jen’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “It’s a tie. It’s either ‘the Great Kidnapping of ‘01’ when we took Beth on a little birthday escapade, or our fabulous Caribbean Cruise! There are an awful lot to choose from!”
Anna has played a lead role in servicing Aquila’s cruise clients since she joined the Aquila team in 2005, which includes arranging and delivering Aquila’s shore excursions to all of the cruise ships that call on Saint John. Right out of the starting gate, Anna dazzled us all, especially when just 3 months into the position, she handled 8000 people from 8 different ships in 8 days! Now, with significant growth in the cruise market, Anna is mentoring others from the Aquila team so we can all lead a ship! Anna’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “The diversity. Every day is different, and I am always challenged in new ways. Also, I love that it’s important to the Aquila Team that if you have a passion, you incorporate it into your work.” Anna’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “Any team outing, whether it is a day of kayaking and a lobster bake on the beach, or going out to paint pottery. Everyone in the office is like family. It is a great thing to be part of!”
The newest member of the Aquila team, Jessica joined Aquila in 2007 and has also assumed a lead role in servicing Aquila’s cruise clients. In just two months, Jessica was leading the arrangements and delivery of shore excursions to visiting cruise ships, and she really wowed us all, as her bubbly personality has made her a natural for this role! With her dazzling smile, hearty laugh, and wonderful sense of style, Jessica has seamlessly fit into the Aquila team. Jes’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “This is difficult, as there are so many fantastic answers! However, I feel very fortunate to be part of such a passionate and supportive team who encourage every day to be a different learning experience. I love the mixture!” Jes’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “I would have to say my first day at the pier. To watch a cruise ship come into the port is truly a thing of beauty. The whole day was filled with fun, excitement and endless new people to meet. A socializer’s dream!”
With her range of experiences and talents, including working with Aquila at various times for over 15 years, Danielle is Aquila’s Jill-of-All-Trades. A full-time team member since 2004, Danielle coordinates our marketing efforts, leads our “Gravy Train Meetings” (monthly budget and marketing meetings), assists pier side on cruise ship days, coordinates our voluntouring programs, and hears us calling her name whenever our computers stop cooperating with us. We’d be lost without her! Dan’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “My first favourite thing is definitely the team I get to work with. They’re all spectacular women! Secondly, it would have to be that I get to try different things all the time, so this job is never boring!” Dan’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “Well, there are so many to choose from! In 1994, I was an Aquila Tour Director for a 3-week train trip from “Coast to Coast” with 30 passengers. The whole trip was memorable, as we spent night after night on the train, cruising through the US and Canada. I especially loved going through the Rocky Mountains, as it was the first time I had seen them up close. And a couple of the passengers kept trying to set me up with the porters onboard the train!”
Natalie’s bright smile is currently absent from the Aquila office, as she and her husband Paul are adjusting to a whole new world with new baby Olivia! Natalie is planning to return to Aquila from her maternity leave in May, when she’ll resume her roles managing Aquila’s trolleys and working with the cruise ships, as well as a variety of special projects. With her warm personality, quick wit, and Staples Easy Button, Natalie has been making sure the Aquila team keeps laughing and having fun since she joined the team in 2004. Nat’s Favourite Thing About Working at Aquila: “My co-workers. They are so awesome and I love them!” Nat’s Most Memorable Moment while Working at Aquila (so far!): “There are a few, but I would have to say touring a cruise ship, kayaking with the team, and our weekends away would be close to the top!”
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Meet the Aquila Crew
