Joe is celebrating 28 years at Motivation Excellence in 2021! Only David Jobes, our owner, has been with us longer, and only by a year. If you think you know everything there is to know about Joe read on and watch our Get to Know ME video interview. We have a feeling he’s going to get some dance requests after COVID-19 is over.
What’s your title and how long have you been at Motivation Excellence?
Manager, Travel Sourcing & Supplier Relations. I have worked with ME for over 20 years, first as an AE for about 8 years or so and then when I re-joined the company in 2001, I worked in the group travel department.
What does your job entail?
I am involved in the development of client group travel proposals for meeting and incentive travel programs, presentations to clients, sourcing & negotiations with travel suppliers, managing travel supplier relationships and all supplier and client contracts that involve travel.
What’s something special about working at Motivation Excellence that you’d like to share?
Opportunity to pursue one of my true passions, which is travel. Not many people get to work in a field that includes one of their personal passions. I have traveled to six continents and have been able to experience destinations that I only dreamed about traveling to as a child.
What’s your favorite part of your job at Motivation Excellence?
The opportunity to develop relationships with people (mostly suppliers) from all over the world, become involved with various cultures, and learn from them.
What’s an unknown or odd talent you have?
Many people do not know that I read, write, and speak German. In addition, I love learning about human history. I took acting classes in the early 80’s.
What motivates you to accomplish things in your life (work or personal)?
Opportunity to play an integral role in developing unique travel experiences for our clients and the opportunity to learn and experience new things in my personal life.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
Watching movies, drinking Scotch, learning about current events, traveling, and spending time with my sons and being part of their journey into adulthood.
One thing that always makes you laugh is?
When people think something that happened recently never occurred previously in history.
What have you done that helped you get through the pandemic?
Made video messages to communicate to and entertain my colleagues.
What is the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
I was a stand-up comic at Sally’s Stage in Chicago in the early 80’s and was an extra in a punk rock dance scene in a movie called “Listen to your heart” with Kate Jackson in 1983 (CBS movie of the week).
