THE PEOPLE BEHIND YOUR JOURNEY

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Missy Hudgens, CTA, brings more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry and a lifelong passion for helping clients explore the world. After spending 25 years with one of the nation’s largest travel organizations, Missy and her supportive husband took the exciting step of turning her expertise and vision into her own agency, Travel Connection.

A graduate of Columbia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in Business with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism, Missy’s dedication to professional excellence is reflected in her Certified Travel Advisor (CTA) designation. She has also earned additional industry credentials as a Luxury Travel Advisor (LTA) and through the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA).

Missy specializes in crafting meaningful and memorable travel experiences, including cruises, luxury travel, group travel, all-inclusive resorts, destination weddings, and honeymoons. She is recognized as a destination specialist for Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean, Italy, and Ireland, offering clients valuable insight and firsthand knowledge when planning their journeys.

An adventurous traveler herself, Missy enjoys discovering new destinations and experiences, whether by exploring personally or through her clients' stories and adventures. When she is not planning travel, she treasures time with family and friends. Her perfect getaway is anywhere near the water, whether on a peaceful beach, lake, or river.

As the owner of Travel Connection, Missy is dedicated to helping clients turn their travel dreams into unforgettable experiences and looks forward to guiding you on your next adventure.

Christine brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team at Travel Connection, with more than 6 years as a professional travel advisor. Her areas of focus include cruises, vacation packages, and all-inclusive resort experiences, where she enjoys helping clients discover the type of travel that best fits their interests and style.

As an avid cruiser herself, Christine understands firsthand what makes a great vacation at sea. She takes pride in guiding clients through each step of the planning process, ensuring every detail is thoughtfully considered so travelers can feel confident and excited about their upcoming journey.

Christine lives in West Virginia with her husband. When she is not helping clients plan their next adventure, she enjoys painting with watercolors, watching classic scary movies, and singing with her husband. In addition to her work in travel, Christine is also a nationally certified Speech-Language Pathologist, a profession that reflects her natural ability to listen carefully, communicate clearly, and care deeply about the people she serves.

With more than 20 years in the travel industry, Lisa has had the privilege of helping clients turn their travel dreams into memorable experiences around the world. Her passion for travel began at an early age and grew into a career dedicated to helping people relax, explore, and experience the joy of discovering new places.

Lisa studied Travel and Tourism in college and began her career at the oldest travel agency on Long Island, New York. Over time, she became the owner and continued serving a discerning clientele, planning high-end leisure travel for residents of Southampton and the surrounding areas. During this time, she helped clients explore destinations worldwide, including Antarctica, African safaris, Europe, and the Caribbean. Her personal connection to the Caribbean deepened while her parents lived on Anguilla in the British West Indies, allowing Lisa to travel extensively across the islands and gain firsthand knowledge of the region.

After relocating her family to Virginia, Lisa expanded her experience by joining the largest travel organization in the United States, where she developed expertise in corporate travel. There she gained a deep appreciation for the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of business travel and the precision it requires.

At the heart of Lisa’s work is her love of family and the experiences travel creates. She enjoys spending time with her family whenever possible, whether at the beach, in the mountains, or sharing the magic of Disney together. Watching the joy of travel through her grandchildren's eyes has become one of her greatest pleasures.

Lisa’s strong organizational skills, industry experience, and attention to detail ensure that every journey is thoughtfully planned, allowing her clients to focus on what matters most—enjoying meaningful moments with the people they love.

Wendi Jackson, a native of Washington, North Carolina and a valued member of the Travel Connection team. Wendi is a passionate travel advisor who enjoys helping clients turn their vacation dreams into meaningful and memorable experiences.

An avid cruiser and lifelong travel enthusiast, Wendi specializes in crafting personalized cruise itineraries, all-inclusive resort getaways, and thoughtfully planned journeys around the world. She takes pride in working closely with clients to understand what matters most to them, ensuring each trip reflects their interests and creates lasting memories for the whole family.

Before joining the travel industry, Wendi spent more than 20 years as an educator, a role that shaped her strong communication skills, attention to detail, and dedication to serving others. She brings that same care and thoughtful approach to helping clients plan their vacations.

When she is not planning travel, Wendi enjoys spending time with her husband, her three children, and her grandchildren. She also has a passion for outdoor photography and loves discovering new places through her travels.

With her warm personality, thoughtful planning style, and love for travel, Wendi is excited to help clients design vacations they will cherish for years to come.

Cameron is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned a degree in Psychology. Go Tigers!

She spent more than 30 years working in social work as a foster and adoptive specialist, a career centered on compassion, advocacy, and helping others navigate important life journeys. Throughout those years, Cameron also nurtured a deep personal passion for travel, often taking the lead in planning memorable vacations for her family. Whether it was a weekend at the beach or a getaway to the mountains, every trip was thoughtfully designed to create meaningful moments and lasting memories. Her careful attention to detail and love of planning often inspired her late husband to say, “Everyone should have a trip planned by Cameron.”

An avid traveler and enthusiastic planner, Cameron now brings that same dedication to helping others experience the joy of travel. She believes that exploring new places opens our eyes to the beauty and diversity of the world and that the memories created along the way are truly priceless.

One of Cameron’s favorite reminders is simple but meaningful: “Life is short, take the trip.” She would be delighted to help you turn your travel dreams into a thoughtfully planned and unforgettable journey.

Elizabeth’s love for travel began early, inspired by the family vacations that first introduced her to the excitement of discovering new places. Over time, that curiosity grew into a lifelong passion for exploring the world and thoughtfully planning meaningful trips for both herself and the people she cares about.

With more than 15 years of cruising experience, Elizabeth has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and as far as Belgium, giving her valuable firsthand insight into the experiences she recommends. She enjoys helping clients plan unforgettable cruise vacations and all-inclusive getaways, carefully curating each journey so every detail is handled with care.

Elizabeth’s greatest joy comes from sharing travel experiences with her husband, her two adult children, and the family and friends she loves—especially those who are experiencing cruising for the first time. For her, travel is about connection, discovery, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Known for her thoughtful planning style, strong organizational skills, and genuine desire to help others, Elizabeth works closely with her clients to ensure their travel experiences are seamless and stress-free. Her goal is simple: to help every traveler relax, explore with confidence, and return home with unforgettable memories.

Cathy Jerow brings a genuine passion for helping others and a spirit of adventure to her role as a travel advisor. After a rewarding career in nursing, she transitioned into the travel industry with the same dedication to service that guided her work in healthcare.

Having traveled to 42 of the 50 states, Cathy offers valuable firsthand insight and a deep appreciation for the experiences that make travel truly memorable. Her extensive personal travel has given her a strong understanding of destinations across the country, allowing her to help clients plan journeys that are both exciting and thoughtfully organized.

Cathy’s background in nursing has also equipped her with exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. These qualities make her a dependable and attentive advisor who approaches every trip with care, patience, and attention to detail.

Guided by a personal philosophy centered on helping others reach their potential and enjoy life’s experiences, Cathy takes great pride in helping clients turn travel ideas into well-planned adventures. Whether you are planning a cross-country road trip or looking to discover hidden gems in familiar destinations, Cathy is committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Sherri, a Virginia native and Longwood University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, has spent more than 35 years helping children, families, and adults navigate life’s challenges. Throughout her career as a social worker, she developed exceptional skills in communication, organization, adaptability, and cultural awareness—qualities that now serve as a strong foundation for her work as a travel advisor.

Sherri has always loved travel, especially trips to the beach and time spent exploring new places with her adult children, family, and friends. Now, as an empty nester, she is excited to turn that passion into helping others create meaningful travel experiences of their own.

Her background in social work allows her to truly listen and understand each client’s preferences, helping her design vacations that feel personal, thoughtful, and perfectly suited to each traveler’s style. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing cruise, an all-inclusive resort escape, or an exciting getaway to a vibrant city like New York, Sherri approaches every itinerary with care, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to making the experience seamless.

While she is new to the travel industry, Sherri brings a lifetime of planning, problem-solving, and caring for others. With her warm approach and enthusiasm for exploration, she looks forward to helping you turn your travel dreams into a memorable journey.

Michele brings a strong foundation of organization, precision, and client-focused care to her role as a Travel Advisor with Travel Connection.  With a professional background as a Financial Coordinator, she is detail-driven and highly skilled at managing logistics—ensuring each trip is thoughtfully planned from start to finish.  

A longtime resident of the Richmond area, now living in Midlothian, Virginia, she has strong local roots and a commitment to personal service that align perfectly with Travel Connection’s concierge-style approach to travel planning.  Michele is passionate about creating well-researched, personalized travel experiences that reflect each client’s unique interests, travel style, and goals. She believes clear communication, reliability, and attentive service are the cornerstones of a seamless travel experience.
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Outside of travel planning, Michele enjoys crafting, reading, and exploring new destinations—interests that fuel her creativity and love for meaningful travel. She is excited to help clients feel confident, supported, and inspired as they plan their next adventure with Travel Connection. 

Terrie, a native Virginian, has built her career around helping others achieve their goals. As a former real estate broker, she was dedicated to helping clients find the perfect home, carefully listening to their needs and working diligently to match them with the right opportunity. Later, as an experienced accountant, she applied her strong attention to detail and thoughtful planning skills to help clients maintain financial clarity, allowing them to focus on growing their businesses and enjoying life.

Terrie now brings those same strengths into her role as a travel advisor. Her organizational expertise, careful planning, and commitment to understanding each client’s needs allow her to design travel experiences that are both seamless and enjoyable.

A passionate traveler herself, Terrie believes that travel offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with the world and create lasting memories. She enjoys exploring new destinations and is excited to help others plan journeys that inspire and delight.

Whether you are planning a quick getaway, a Mediterranean cruise, or an extended European adventure, Terrie looks forward to helping you turn your travel plans into a well-crafted and memorable experience.

Chelsy proudly calls Possum Trot, Kentucky, home, but her adventurous spirit has always reached far beyond her small-town roots. One of her long-standing goals is to fill her passport, and she continues working toward that dream with every destination she explores. While she has already traveled to nearly all 50 states and several countries, her passion for discovering new places only continues to grow.

Chelsy’s love for travel began with family adventures that sparked a lifelong curiosity about the world. Over the years, she has combined that passion with experience in event planning, volunteering, business administration, and graphic design—skills that allow her to approach travel planning with creativity, organization, and a thoughtful attention to detail.

Although new to the Travel Connection team, Chelsy brings valuable experience helping clients plan cruises, milestone trips for couples, and hotel arrangements for travel sports teams. She also has a special place in her heart for the “young at heart” group at her church and enjoys organizing outings and trips that allow them to explore new places together.

For Chelsy, becoming a travel advisor was a natural step. Travel is something she truly loves, and she finds great joy in helping others create experiences that will become lifelong memories. Every traveler has a story waiting to be written, and Chelsy would love to help you begin yours.