Alissa Davis first became interested in pursuing a career in the customer service end of business management after experiencing a difficult circumstance as a consumer that was ultimately rectified quickly and easily through the help of an exceptional customer service representative. Recognizing how that single experience shaped her perception of the company as a whole and knowing how often consumers encounter subpar service and support, Alissa decided to commit her professional career to ensuring customers receive the most outstanding level of service possible. This commitment has been consistently reflected throughout each and every one of her professional endeavors, and customers of CreditUpdates.com have offered repeated praise for Alissa’s efforts in this regard.

Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in business management and operations, Alissa enrolled in an MBA program that allowed her pursue a specialization in corporate social responsibility. After earning her MBA, Alissa worked in several executive positions in which it was her responsibility to oversee various aspects of customer service and support for companies in varied industries. It was through these diverse professional roles that Alissa began to develop her exceptional reputation as an innovator in all matters concerning customer service and support.

Alissa’s outstanding work in these positions led to her current role with CreditUpdates.com, where she is now senior vice president of customer satisfaction. While Alissa’s responsibilities are incredibly diverse, her primary role with the company is to develop and implement customer service and support programs that reflect the manner in which CreditUpdates.com values its customers and the lengths to which it will go to ensure a consistently exceptional customer experience with accurate credit updates. True to her reputation as an innovator, Alissa has created and instituted a number of creative initiatives designed to yield an outstanding customer service experience for those utilizing CreditUpdates.com for credit reporting, monitoring and support services.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

I love learning about the unique customs and cultures of the places I visit, and I’ve always enjoyed seeing all the differences in architectural design from location to location.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s a hobby, but it is a hobby I hold dear. I first got the travel bug after spending a semester studying abroad, so now I’m always in the process of planning my next big trip.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

It has to be Rome, Italy. I spent about a month traveling through Italy a few summers ago, and I just found Rome to be absolutely enchanting.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I don’t know when I’ll be able to get there, but my next destination is going to be the south of France so I can visit some old friends.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I think it’s important to travel throughout your home country first before traveling abroad. I made a point to see places all over the United States before I started going out of the country with any sort of frequency.

Where would you like to go?

I have yet to make it to any location in the South Pacific, so I’m hoping to make some plans to go there soon.

Where would you like to revisit?

I’d really like to revisit Italy and France.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I have a few longtime friends who are always willing travel companions, but if our schedules don’t quite coordinate I’ll still travel alone.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Rome, Italy; Marseille, France; Costa Brava, Spain

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

Even though I usually travel on extended trips, I like to travel light.

The co-founder of BoldLeads, Danny Loschiavo became one of the country’s most successful young entrepreneurs by applying his unique skill set to an issue that had been plaguing real estate agents for quite some time. Recognizing that real estate agents spent far too much time pursuing leads of relatively questionable quality, Mr. Loschiavo developed BoldLeads with the goal of creating a means through which agents could build a self-replenishing pipeline of future clients while spending far less time doing so. It is for this reason that BoldLeads reviews its automated system with regularity to ensure its continued efficacy in securing high-quality leads for real estate agents, thereby allowing agents to focus on serving clients rather than securing them.

Mr. Loschiavo first became cognizant of this problem after observing his mother, Christine, struggle to expand her database of clients despite the overwhelming success she had achieved as a realtor. After several discussions regarding the manner in which she and most other real estate agents pursued and secured future client leads, Mr. Loschiavo recognized that there was a clear opportunity to streamline this process through the creation of a system that incorporated many different aspects of marketing, automation and CRM. That system ultimately became BoldLeads, with real estate agents all over the country now benefiting from the remarkable efficiency made possible through the platform created by Mr. Loschiavo.

The BoldLeads platform was not Mr. Loschiavo’s first foray into the world of real estate or entrepreneurship in general. As an undergraduate at Arizona State University, Mr. Loschiavo oversaw several entrepreneurial endeavors involving real estate while pursuing the degrees in business and global studies he would ultimately earn. Since graduating from ASU and co-founding BoldLeads, Mr. Loschiavo has been repeatedly recognized for his accomplishments and has been named among the “Top 35 Entrepreneurs Under 35.”

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

There is something about traveling that just stokes my creative fires, and some of my best ideas have come to me while traveling.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s a hobby at this point, but I hope it will become more of a lifestyle in the near future. I’ve always been interested in traveling and had the opportunity to travel extensively while enrolled in the global studies program at ASU.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Auckland, New Zealand.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’m hoping to do an extended trip throughout Europe soon, but I want to be sure I have plenty of time to really enjoy my stay.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I’m all about efficiency when I travel, so I like to take a lot of time to plan a trip in advance to make sure I get the most out of the time I spend traveling.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to spend some time traveling on the Amazon River if possible.

Where would you like to revisit?

I had a wonderful time in New Zealand and Australia, and if it weren’t for the length of the plane ride I’d have already visited again.

Do you travel alone? Why?

It doesn’t matter much to me, but I have met some very interesting people while traveling alone.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

1. Auckland, New Zealand

2. Rome, Italy

3. Lyon, France

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I try to always travel with nothing more than a small carry-on bag.

Renowned software entrepreneur and world traveler James Kappen has made a career out of his penchant for creative problem-solving, particularly as it relates to those problems so seemingly complex that the issue goes unresolved for quite some time despite the inherent frustration associated with its continued existence. Kappen, the founder and CEO of Proposable, has used his current venture to address an inefficiency that has plagued the global sales force for far too long, namely, the painful sales proposal process. Through Kappen’s efforts in creating the web-based platform at the heart of Proposable, sales professionals the world over can reap the reward of a streamlined system through which sales proposals can be designed, delivered, tracked and evaluated with an uncommon level of ease.

Kappen, a software entrepreneur known for his creativity and his consistently innovative approach, experienced how this particular inefficiency negatively affected so many aspects of his work responsibilities. With the creation of Proposable, a web-based sales proposal platform, Kappen felt sales staff would be able to devote more of their time and energy to creativity and customer service, an outcome that would be of clear benefit to all of the parties involved. The impetus, of course, was Kappen’s own frustrating experience in dealing with his own sales proposals.

A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Kappen holds a degree in economics and has been recognized as an expert in his field on a number of occasions. As the winner of the SproutBox Business Accelerator Program, Kappen was selected over thousands of other entrants and was therefore able to benefit from the guidance and insight provided by veteran investors and advisors. Through his unique combination of academic and entrepreneurial experience, along with access to exceptional mentoring from leading experts in their respective fields, Kappen brings a rare skill set to his role as founder and CEO of Proposable.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

Seeing how things are done in different parts of the world really provides a unique perspective and sometimes reveals how the accepted or established practice is not always the same as the best practice.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I’d like for it to be more of a lifestyle even though I travel quite frequently.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

I’m obviously biased, but it’s Santa Barbara for me.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Yes, my wife and I have a few upcoming trips. One really relaxing trip would be our annual sailing adventure to Catalina island.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

Turn off your phone. Try to find places in which getting lost is not inherently unsafe, and then go ahead and get lost, then ask locals when you have any question. All sorts of cool things happen when you take this approach.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to visit New Zealand and Australia, but I don’t want to go until I have more than enough time to really experience both countries.

Where would you like to revisit?

I had a wonderful experience taking a trip to Nicaragua last year, so I’d like to go back again in the future.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I’ve done my fair share of solo trips and have always had an outstanding time, but when I travel with others I like to be sure that we are on the same page in terms of our plans and expectations long before we depart.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

I’d pick anywhere in the Mediterranean, as well as Vancouver, British Columbia; and Patagonia, Chile.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I almost always pack very little no matter how I travel, but I do try pack according to the range of potential weather conditions and the duration of the trip.

Senior underwriting professional Randi Glazer has held a variety of executive leadership positions over the last decade in which her extensive underwriting expertise has been of tremendous value. Ms. Glazer’s practical expertise regarding her industry is not the only positive benefit stemming from her years of experience as an underwriting professional, as she has also developed a wholly unique leadership style based on her own experience working under executives who employed a wide range of management strategies to varying degrees of success.

Ms. Glazer holds degrees in economics and business, earning the former as an undergraduate through the State University of New York at Geneseo and securing the latter, an MBA, from American Intercontinental University while graduating summa cum laude. An expert in international business who has spent extensive time abroad, Ms. Glazer travels often due to her professional responsibilities as well as due to the sincere joy derived from frequent travel to foreign destinations. While her experience traveling abroad is hardly limited to just a few destinations, Ms. Glazer has spent extended periods of time in England, France and Germany.

As the underwriting director of RM Global Risk Management, Ms. Glazer has continued to draw on her exceptional knowledge of the industry and is rightly credited for establishing the firm as an immense success in its field. In providing consulting services to clients all over the globe, Ms. Glazer’s understanding of the international arena has proved to be of significant value, particularly when combined with her unparalleled knowledge of so many aspects of the underwriting industry. With specific expertise in some of the more complex areas of the field, Ms. Glazer has played a critical role in the success of countless clients and is poised to achieve a great deal more through her executive leadership responsibilities.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

I travel quite a lot for work and for recreation, so my favorite part of traveling is the opportunity to see old friends, especially if it has been some time since I have been able to see them in person.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

It’s absolutely a lifestyle. I got started while working on my master’s degree, and I’ve since pursued just about every opportunity to travel for work or for recreation.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

Bordeaux, France.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I’ll be traveling back to Long Island to visit family sometime soon, and I’m hoping to return to Europe shortly thereafter.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

You’ll always have more fun asking the locals for advice rather than referring to a travel guide.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to spend some time in the Caribbean or Central America.

Where would you like to revisit?

I’ve always had a wonderful time in France and have many dear friends I’d like to visit there.

Do you travel alone? Why?

When I travel for work I usually travel alone, but my preference is to have a few friends with me when traveling for recreation.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

Bordeaux, France; London, England; and Berlin, Germany.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I’m not a fan of traveling light, so I usually bring as much as I’m able whenever I travel.

Hard-working and devoted educational consultant, Michele Frazier, is the most sought after adolescent mentor in the United States. With the desire to see every child succeed and grow, Michele Frazier has turned her focus toward her discovered passion. Ever since beginning her career in the education service, Ms. Frazier has been determined to bring out the best in others in order for them to reach their goals and over all achieve their goals.

Ms. Frazier started her career teaching young children in the comfort and security of her classroom in a public school. Today, Ms. Frazier runs the most highly searched for and respected mentorship program for children in America.

Although highly involved with her students and maturing pupils, Ms. Frazier understand the importance of taking time for yourself to relax and recharge with a much needed vacation and traveling.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

My most favorite thing about traveling is creating memories. Everything we see will one day pass away, but we hold on to memories.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

Traveling would have to be a hobby as I am too tied up in my student’s lives to make it a lifestyle. I started traveling as a young age when I moved to Oregon from Nebraska.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

While I haven’t been outside the United States just yet, Oregon is breathtaking with impressive mountains.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

I would love to Florida again sometime soon. I made some great friends there. Sadly, no travel plans.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

If at all possible, do not take any pets with you.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to go to Berlin, Germany eventually

Where would you like to revisit?

Honestly, I’m missing home in Nebraska. I’d like to see family.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I travel alone, yes, but that doesn’t mean I want to. I’d rather travel with friends but they’re all so busy!

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

From what I have heard, everyone needs to go to New York, London and Philadelphia

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I have to pack up the house! Better to have something and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Ian Leaf is the founder and principal investigator of “Ian Leaf Fraud Watcher,” a comprehensive network of organizations specializing in preventing, detecting and resolving issues associated with the schemes carried out by fraudsters and scammers. Recognizing the increasing prevalence and sophistication of fraud across a wide range of circumstances, Ian Leaf contacted Ian Andrews, funding expert, to take the initial steps in creating a network of fraud prevention specialists designed to reduce the likelihood of consumers being targeted by fraudsters and scammers. It was this initial contact that led to Leaf’s venture expanding to include “Ian Leaf Tax Fraud Prevention and Investigation” as well as “Ian Leaf Fraudster Identification and Resolution.”

With Leaf and Andrews spearheading a campaign to snuff out fraud and fraudsters before consumers were adversely affected, awareness was raised regarding the need to adopt a greater focus on prevention rather than on resolution. Given the pair’s level of expertise and complementary skill set, Ian Leaf, HFC expert, and Ian Andrews, fraudster prevention specialist, have been able to achieve a great deal of progress in reducing the incidence of fraud and identifying the areas of weakness scammers are most likely to target in future schemes. Due to the inroads made by both Leaf and Andrews, demand for their services has risen substantially while the duo continues to educate and inform the public regarding the risks and vulnerabilities fraudsters and scammers may try to take advantage of sometime in the near future.

Proud of the progress made through “Ian Leaf Tax Fraud Prevention and Investigation,” Leaf and Andrews are nonetheless diligently researching new strategies aimed at reducing fraudulent behavior and scams targeting consumers. Leaf, a dedicated professional who works long hours in the service of the public, rarely indulges in anything that takes him away from his work, but world travel has often been the lone exception to this rule.

What is your favorite thing about traveling?

It’s rare that I have the opportunity to travel since I am so committed to my work, which is why my favorite thing about traveling is having the opportunity to simply rest and relax away from those everyday stresses we all share.

Is traveling a hobby or a lifestyle for you? How did you get started?

I wish it could be a lifestyle, but it is a hobby for me at the moment. I first became interested in world travel as an undergraduate student studying abroad for a semester in the United Kingdom.

What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to?

New Zealand is by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve been too. Switzerland is a close second.

Do you have any exciting travel dates planned for the future?

Yes, I’ll be heading to Ireland later on this year.

What are some travel tips you’d give to someone inexperienced?

I believe immersing oneself in another culture for an extended period of time is of significant value, so I always advocate for a lengthier stay whenever someone asks my advice.

Where would you like to go?

I’d like to go to Nova Scotia at some point.

Where would you like to revisit?

I spent some time in Australia and New Zealand several years ago, so I’d like to go back again if at all possible.

Do you travel alone? Why?

I usually do travel alone, mostly because I prefer to stay in a single destination for longer than is convenient for most.

If you could pick the top 3 places every person should go, what would they be?

New Zealand is magnificent, Switzerland is heavenly, and Belize is just endlessly enjoyable.

Do you travel light or do you pack up the house?

I travel light and figure out what I really need from the locals in the area in which I’ll be staying.