John Hall’s Alaska has promoted two longtime employees to vice president, each with two decades of tenure at the company, and added two new hires to its staff.
John Hall Sr., founder and CEO of the family-owned and -operated company, expressed his enthusiasm for the promotions and new hires. He said they reflect a commitment to providing extraordinary tour experiences in Alaska and beyond, strengthening its growth in Minnesota, and bolstering its charter operations.
“These promotions reflect the unwavering dedication and instrumental contributions of these individuals to our growth over the past two decades,” he said. “They have more than earned these positions on the leadership team and will help determine the next phase of John Hall’s Alaska’s operations.”
Veterans move up
Catherine Zulkifli, who has been part of John Hall’s Alaska since 2005, has been promoted to Vice President of Tour Operations. With an extensive background in hospitality, Zulkifli initially served as an onboard cruise manager for John Hall’s Alaska and later transitioned to land operations in Anchorage.
After a period working for organizations such as Disney, she returned in 2021 as Director of Tour Operations, coordinating and overseeing John Hall’s Alaska’s partner relationships and tour operations in Alaska and developing its World Adventures tours.
Jenny Johnson, who has been a part of the John Hall’s Alaska team since she was 16 years old, was promoted to Vice President of Guest Operations. Her journey with the Hall family began at the Anderson House, the family’s Minnesota hotel where she worked throughout high school and college until she earned her degree in hospitality and tourism.
After spending several years gaining experience at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin and working for Holland America Line in the shore excursions department, she returned to John Hall’s Alaska as a cruise manager in 2005 and quickly transitioned into corporate guest operations.
New faces
In addition to the promotions, John Hall’s Alaska welcomes two new hires to its operations.
Rebecca Fernandez joins the John Hall’s Alaska Partnership Management and Guest Operations team with over a decade of experience in school administration. Though new to the travel industry, Fernandez brings energy and a passion for Alaska as well as a fresh perspective, the company said. She will support various functions, including sales, marketing, and charter and group client partnerships.
Adam Schimbeno, a member of the John Hall’s Alaska family for eight years, has moved into a full-time position on the Motorcoach and Charter Operations team.
Schimbeno was a teacher who worked for John Hall’s Alaska during the summer. He will support ground operations in Alaska and Minnesota, as well as work to build relationships with local schools, athletics, and other transportation opportunities.
Since 1983, this family-owned and operated company has offered tour packages covering Alaska, the Yukon and the Canadian Rockies year round. By land, rail, air, and sea, its tours offer opportunities to discover the wildlife, native cultures, and geographical wonders of Alaska.
