Some of the best in the industry, our Captains, Chefs, Expedition Leaders, Hotel staff, and Mates are individually selected not only for their outstanding knowledge, customer service, and safety skills, but also for their genuinely welcoming and enthusiastic personalities. Our Expedition Leaders are experienced naturalists with advanced training in natural and/or cultural history. Our customer service staff is made up of energetic men and women who are as excited about where you’re going as you are. Our Captains and engineers have the certifications and skills to provide you with a safe and confident exploration experience.
CAPTAINS
 Jeff Kalbach
Relief Captain, Wilderness Vessels
Born with flippers—okay that might be a stretch, but Captain Jeff has spent his life passion in and on the waters of this vast planet we call earth.
Along with a bachelor’s degree in biology and agronomy from California Polytechnic State University, he’s a PADI open water scuba instructor, and has 15 years experience as master and operations manager for a privately owned yacht and several small ship cruise lines. Known for his entertaining nature and attention to detail—as master of the ship in Alaska, rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.
As a whale aficionado, it’s no fluke Jeff worked with the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation for years. Aside from marine mammal research, his interests include environmental education and conservation, travel, and working out at the gym. He has experience with Belugas, Sperm, blue, grey and right whales in Argentina, and spends his free time on or in the water studying whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks. And just for the “chill” of it—he did a scuba dive in Antarctica!
 Marcella "Marce" Branniff
Captain, Wilderness Explorer
Wild places of the world—those thoughts became ever more prevalent as Captain Marce pursued a degree in environmental geography at Clark University in Massachusetts. The ability to travel, experience different cultures and destinations is a geographer’s dream job.
Unsurprisingly, when the opportunity to join a small ship traveling to remote places arose more than 15 years ago—conducting oceanographic and hydrographic research in the South Pacific, Southern Ocean, and east coast between BVI and New England—she climbed aboard and without looking back began a seagoing career. Marce also worked on salmon habitat restoration for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington, prompting an invitation to become an honorary member of the Yakima Indian Nation. And during her career, she has received two USCG Public Service Commendations.
Captain Marce is a natural explorer. Hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, a cross-country road trip on her Harley, and a bucket list that includes hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada is testament. You may find her sailing, deep in the woods with backpack and compass, reading tales of other’s adventures… or camped out at a poker table, and if you’re at the table too, be sure to bring your A game.
 Megan Pearia
Relief Captain, Safari Yachts
Captain Megan grew up in Monroe, Washington, and aside from winter respites in Hawaii and months spent each year on the yacht (both of which she absolutely loves), Megan still calls western Washington home.
“Being in the right place at the right time and then falling in love with being on the water” is what she attributes most to her success. Straight out of Starbucks, Megan joined American Safari Cruises and began her maritime career—quickly growing through the ranks and acquiring a 200 Ton Masters License. Other notable career tidbits—she once ran snorkel trips in Maui and a Navy shuttle for sailors between Everett and Bremerton, Washington. With each sailing, Megan will tell you that after running trips week after week, no two are ever the same, and she loves that about her job.
Traveling, sunny places, snowboarding, and time with family and friends rank high for her. And one of her favorite travel memories was being in Greece as part of a traditional Greek wedding! But among her other eclectic loves, you can throw in a lively romp with dolphins and whales and a good spray on the bow! If you’re lucky, after sailing with Megan, you’ll share that same enthusiasm.
 Sean Manske
Captain, Safari Quest
Born, raised, and even now, Portland, Oregon is home to Sean. So it’s an understatement to say he “knows” the Pacific Northwest—he’s a natural explorer with a fondness for boats and being on the water.
Sean graduated from Portland Community College with a degree in fire science. He furthered his education with certifications for marine firefighting; STCW-95 Basic Safety (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping); CPR and first aid; and by acquiring a 100 Ton Inland/Near Coastal License. Since, Sean has worked for several small ship operators offering wilderness expeditions for both overnight and day trips in Alaska, Baja Mexico, and the US Pacific Northwest. Your safety is always top-of-mind with Sean and he’ll share experiences you will never forget.
Speaking of sharing… Sean has a twin brother, enjoys biking, camping, and is learning to windsurf. He also has a memorable and funny tale of his own… about three stray dogs: Rupee, White Toes and Underbite? While on vacation in Italy and Greece, the “three terrors of Santorini” became inseparable from Sean and his troupe causing pandemonium amongst tourists, overturning café tables, and sending children and unsuspecting cats running for safety. There are too many details to share here, but with Sean, you can count on an unbelievable adventure.
EXPEDITION TEAM
 Jackie Hedgpeth
Expedition Guide, Wilderness Adventurer
“On the go” Jackie grew up on the southern Oregon coast in Coos Bay and for the past 20 years has lived in Bothell, Washington. This currently tenured college instructor has many wilderness tales to tell… fishing expeditions with up-close bear encounters; shark diving in Tahiti; snorkeling with humpback whales in Dominican Republic; and animal encounters galore in the Arctic, Antarctica, Galápagos, Africa, and other fascinating places.
Master degrees in biology and health science from Mississippi State and University of Oregon, along with PADI rescue diver, teaching, NRA-rifle, and USCG boaters certifications has presented Jackie with a colorful career—wildlife and underwater photographer, naturalist, K-12 teacher, music director, pianist and organist. Over the years, Jackie has enjoyed giving wildlife presentations on cruise ships and leading outdoor adventures. The best part for her is searching for and viewing wildlife, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, sharing insights and enhancing your appreciation of places.
For this fire cracker, we’re convinced there aren’t enough hours in the day! Jackie loves adventure and lives to be underwater with cameras, but has plenty of other interests that occupy her as well… skiing (water and snow), boating, theater, ballroom dancing, gardening, and golfing. And she has these words of wisdom for you, “Never leave the room without your camera or binoculars!”
 Kim Dahm
Expedition Guide, Wilderness Discoverer
Kim grew up in Lynnwood, Washington, but after joining our family—American Safari Cruises (sister brand to InnerSeaDiscoveries) as a steward during the summer of 2006—she fell in love with Alaska and a few years later decided to make Southcentral Alaska home. Since then, Kim has gotten to know a bit about Alaska.
She graduated from Boise State University with a degree in exercise science & physiology and has continued her training with all sorts of certifications: Wilderness First Responder, CPR, AED, PADI Open Water Diver, and as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Staying true to her many skills, Kim once worked for a rafting company in Denali National Park, as a personal trainer at a fitness club, a trip leader and climbing instructor for a college outdoor program, and even tried her hand at bartending.
Beautiful places, great people, and being active outdoors are the keys to loving her work. And as for playtime… that list includes yoga, art, knitting, camping, hiking, snowboarding, food, travel, and new adventures. She can’t wait to explore Southeast Alaska with you and calls herself lucky to call this work.
 Kristin Roth
Expedition Leader, Wilderness Explorer
You’ve heard the old saying, “wherever I lay my hat...” well, “wherever her jeep takes her”—that’s where Kristin calls home. She grew up in New Jersey, has lived in Chile, and let us stress, loves to travel. Globetrotting for both work and play, Kristin has combed the planet exploring faraway places from North, Central and South America to Western Europe.
She is a graduate of Villanova University with degrees in sociology and elementary education. Among her many accomplishments, Kristen holds a 100 Ton Near Coastal Master license, and certifications for Able Seaman, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and K-8 teaching. Previous jobs she’s held range from naturalist guide to chief mate and outdoor education program coordinator to cook. Lucky for us our chefs are so awesome… she claims that’s why she joined our team!
Kristin is also passionate about hiking, kayaking, biking, sailing, exploring (pretty much anything outside), good coffee and wine, and she has a fondness for dark chocolate. Rumor also has it that she has eleven toes (we think not), but perhaps that’s how she’s come so far. If you can go toe to toe with her, maybe you’ll learn her secret.
 Laurie Cooper
Expedition Guide, Wilderness Discoverer
The best advice Laurie ever received, “live where you recreate.” She grew up in Columbia, Maryland, but following that advice brought her to where she now calls home—Southeast Alaska, specifically Douglas Island (across Gastineau channel from Juneau).
Being able to share and explore the wonder of Southeast Alaska is her motivation and it never gets old. Laurie graduated from the University of Maryland – College Park with a degree in government and political science and is a certified Wilderness First Responder, CPR/AED. She spent 11 years working in nonprofit conservation focused on protecting wild places in the Tongass National Forest and prior to joining us, served as rainforest program director of the Alaska Wilderness League.
A cake lover, biting into a slice of chocolate goodness can rank right up there with watching humpback whales breach for Laurie. But she does love the outdoors… trail running, snowboarding, kayaking, camping… anything outdoors. One of the most challenging and exhilarating things she’s ever done was learning to surf in Costa Rica. We’ll bet she has some bodacious stand-up paddle board moves to show you!
 Nitakuwa Barrett
Expedition Leader, Safari Spirit
An infectious enthusiasm follows Nitakuwa no matter where she is. Today she calls Austin, Texas home, but she grew up in Louisiana, and her gypsy tendencies have called her to special places far and wide and in between.
Nitakuwa graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana and holds degrees in communications and biology. Her love and passion for science and science literacy was enhanced by another love, the ocean, after traveling to Hawaii. She put her degrees to use teaching science, has taught students of all ages visiting schools in Maui, worked at the Maui Ocean Center, assisted marine mammal researchers, and led whale watches and snorkel tours—the beginning of her career as a naturalist. Following the whales, Nitakuwa’s expertise also migrated to Alaska. And for over 10 years she’s continued to return, seven of those years with American Safari Cruises.
Energetic and passionate about her job and science, yes… but there’s also running, yoga, writing, and travel. Just for fun, over the past decade, she’s romped around Europe, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and the Philippines. For Nitakuwa, the best part about what she does is viewing wild animals every day and sharing that experience with you. It won’t be long until you’re under her spell too.
 Randall Tate
Expedition Guide, Wilderness Discoverer
Recently Randall’s been living nomadic-like in a camper, but he’s actually Minnesota grown from along the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth. And while he’s never lived on a boat before now, he’s definitely done some living.
Living and working in incredible places with like-minded people who love the outdoors is a priority, but seeing people “get it” after experiencing nature in a way that changes their perspective is a reward. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in marketing and psychology, and his professional escapades range from rafting guide and photographer (phenomenal) to web developer, UPS driver and bellman. He’s also certified in STCW-95 Basic Safety (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping).
Adventure and travel go hand-in-hand for him. He once drove a jeep from London to Mongolia (curious if it could drive the 9,000 miles on liquefied petroleum gas), ascended Denali National Park’s Mt. McKinley, and survived a three-day sandstorm in the Sahara Desert while driving a $500 Opel Corsa from London to Gambia. For Randall—who’s partially colorblind and makes a strong cup of coffee—finding photography subjects and capturing the action is his all-time favorite, but so is climbing, skiing, whitewater rafting, and home-brewing… just more adventure to him!
 Vanessa Franson
Expedition Leader, Safari Quest & Safari Explorer
Bitten by the travel bug early, Vanessa grew up on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and while currently residing in Seattle, she has lived in NYC, Miami and Dominican Republic, and her travels have carried her far and wide—to Tibet, for the love of travel; Madagascar, working as a volunteer researcher; and Israel, bird watching in the Middle East.
A graduate of Western Washington University, Vanessa majored in education with an emphasis in interdisciplinary child development and political science. She also holds a 100 Ton Captain License. Her professional pursuits include everything from commercial film production and leading teen camping trips to boatbuilding and working on a cargo ship in the Caribbean. She even used to barrel race horses. But it was working as a mate when she found that people, science, and stories won out and her path was set.
An eclectic soul, Vanessa enjoys running, dance, yoga, reading cooking blogs, responding to emergencies, wilderness conservation, and who would have guessed… plotting travel. Meeting interesting people and gaining new perspective are food for her soul, and she can’t wait to introduce you to breathtaking wilderness.
CREW
 Ashley Lowe
Executive Chef, Wilderness Discoverer
While growing up in a restaurant family in the High Sierras of California, food and entertaining became second nature to Ashley. There were attempts to stray from the family business by studying Art History in college, but she was quickly drawn back to her culinary roots and into the kitchen.
After working in the fast-paced restaurants of San Francisco and running her own small, organic, sustainably-minded restaurant, she found it was—once again—time to push the reset button on life. It was kismet when Ashley discovered Southeast Alaska while working in Glacier Bay National Park. Having rediscovered her love of healthy foods, she’s now working on an advanced degree in nutrition at Bastyr University and looks forward to sharing the incredible bounty of the Pacific Northwest with you on board.
If you don’t see Ashley in the galley, try looking in the water. She might just be swimming alongside the boat or poking around with a snorkel. And she also holds bragging rights for having recipes published in Sunset Magazine.
 Kevin Martin
Chief Mate, Wilderness Explorer
Summers in Southeast Alaska—yes, Kevin enjoys each one more and more. And he’s quite at home navigating the waters flowing between the thousands of rainforest-cloaked islands in Southeast Alaska.
With more than six years experience as an Expedition Leader for American Safari Cruises, sister brand to InnerSea Discoveries, Kevin played a crucial role in the development of the InnerSea Discoveries itineraries. As a naturalist, he’s explored the wilderness of Alaska, Mexico, Pacific Northwest, Florida, and Peruvian Amazon. The titles of photographer, care-giver for the elderly, banjo player, corner store meat cutter, and part-time pipe organ tuner can all be pegged on him too!
Kevin’s talents run deep—Certified Interpretive Guide, business degree from Graceland University, and passions for composing music, picking a tune, and cooking delicious meals. And while he’s never competed in a professional sport or won accolades for his penmanship, he has adequately cooked seven-minute brownies in just over six minutes and is very excited to take you on a journey through the Tongass National Forest that you won’t soon forget.
 Leah Webb
Wellness Instructor, Fleet-wide
For Leah—home is where the heart is, her heart is above her feet, so right now home is on the boat! But on terrestrial terms, her family is from Kauai, Hawaii and she spent her childhood in Seattle.
As a certified massage therapist and yoga siromani with a degree in biology (emphasis in ornithology) from Northern Arizona University, Leah transitioned from decades of attending to the needs of animals as a vet technician and avian biologist, to providing health and wellness to good people in an adventure environment for InnerSea Discoveries and sister brand, American Safari Cruises. Her motivation—providing a voice for the endangered species of this planet and the reward of offering health and reflection, experiencing beauty, and discussing science with others.
Leah can clap with one hand, appreciates good conversation and philosophy, and loves outrigger canoeing (well really, all forms of outdoor recreation), beadwork, poi (fire spinning), and travelling. One of her favorite memories is a six-hour hike to a remote village in a Panamanian jungle (inaccessible by vehicle) to identify an injured harpy eagle and creating relationships with the villagers that facilitated eagle observation rather than destruction. Her words to live by… If you’re fortunate you’ll love your work. If you are wise you’ll work at love.
 Michael Barone
Executive Chef, Safari Spirit
Having grown up in a Sicilian family in Hollister, California, Michael gained his passion and respect for food at an early age by helping his grandma’s. Today, when he’s not in the galley creating homemade Italian pastas (or other culinary delights), chances are he’s surrounded by friends and family at his home in San Jose, California tempting them with incredible treats.
Michael furthered his culinary education by graduating from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Costigliole D’asti, Italy. He went on to start Mangiamo (translated means “Let’s Eat”), a private catering company in San Jose. As for what keeps Michael loving what he does—making homemade food, with his hands, from scratch… well, it just doesn’t get any better. He truly loves satisfying people’s palate with the food he creates!
Aside from cooking—and eating—some of Michael’s other interests include working out, going to the gym, mountain biking (notice the trend here… could it be the food), and traveling. He’s traveled a bit all over Europe, but one of his favorite memories was meeting his family living in Sicily and sitting down to dinner together. You can bet he’s cooking up something special for you too!
 Terry Rice
Hotel Manager, Fleet-Wide
Born in Ketchikan, Alaska, Terry grew up in Seattle and Los Angeles, spent a year in Maine, and at 15 was an exchange student in Brazil, caught the travel bug and has been exploring ever since… Argentina, Thailand, Canada, Mexico, Spain, France, and as a road trip fanatic he’s hit 30+ US states, driven coast-to-coast plus up/down both seaboards. A wine enthusiast—he spent every opportunity along the way learning about wines and pairing it with delicious food..
With feverish enthusiasm, Terry loves his job. He’s worked in hotel management (on land and sea) and even as a dancing waiter/bartender at a circus theater restaurant. He also holds certifications in CPR/First Aid and crisis management/crowd control and is acquiring a political science degree. Seeing people experience places in unique and meaningful ways, hours of hiking and kayaking, and working as a team to create results larger than any one person or place is everything to him.
Terry’s fond of cooking and camping, hanging at the latest hot spots garnering new ideas, basketball playing/skateboarding monkeys (do ask him), is a crazy good rollerblader, and a politics/current events nerd. But most importantly, while on board, do us a favor and challenge him to a game of cribbage. |
The Un-Cruise Experience
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