Our Team

Let our years of experience provide your corporation with customized and flexible travel solutions.


Executive Team

  • Jose (Joe) G. da Rosa
    Chairman

    Since 1971, Joe da Rosa has guided Balboa Travel through an unprecedented 43-year expansion. His focus on building a culture of “people serving people” has taken Balboa Travel to the next level. Not surprising, the San Diego Business Journal consistently ranks Balboa Travel as the number one travel management company in the region.

  • Denise Jackson
    President & CEO

    With more than 30 years of industry experience, Denise Jackson has worked in every aspect of leisure, corporate, meeting, group and incentive travel. Today, she is responsible for all management decisions affecting over $200 million in annual sales. Her decision to implement a flat management structure across the organization has resulted in a more hands-on approach with both customers and employees.

  • John Cruse
    Chief Operating Officer

    After 30 years of working through various supervisory positions, John Cruse is responsible for the entire network of eighty agents, two reservations centers, the at-home agent program, booking applications, on-line and more. John is an outstanding example of Balboa Travel's commitment to advancement and promotion from within.

  • Stephen Thomas-Schulere
    Senior Vice President, Strategic Solutions

    From the high flying days of TWA to an executive position at Balboa Travel, Stephen Thomas-Schulere has risen through the ranks to become one of the most versatile travel professionals in the industry. Today, Stephen is responsible for quality improvement, strategic and operational planning and the development of innovative initiatives to enhance internal operational efficiencies and client effectiveness.

  • Mark Simoes
    Vice President, Leisure Services

    Since 1995 I have been working at Balboa Travel and have developed a strong passion for travel. I have been fortunate to travel extensively over the last several years - taking me to many countries in Europe, Asia, and numerous trips throughout Mexico, Hawaii, and Caribbean. I find it very important to travel as much as possible as then I can share my excitement and passion with my clientele.

  • Tina Gilmore
    Vice President, Global Supplier Management & Consulting

    Tina is a seasoned airline strategist with broad experience in all aspects of airline RFP management, strategic planning, policy consultation and global negotiations. She provides critical analysis for corporations with complex airline needs. Tina has performed thousands of airline analyses focusing on program assessment, optimal savings, global coverage and service goals for corporations from various industries and global needs. Prior to joining Balboa Travel in 2008, Tina spent 10 years at American Airlines where she held positions as City Manager, Account Development Manager and Corporate Sales Manager. Airlines have sought her expertise as she sits on several airline advisory boards and committees. She is a valued speaker among travel industry organizations and think tanks. Tina holds a degree in Advertising and Business from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a 2008 San Diego LEAD graduate.

Directors Team

  • Andrew Robles
    Senior Director of Travel Technology

    Andrew has over twenty-five years of experience in the travel industry, with twenty of those years in travel technology. He has spent over 12 years in Balboa Travel’s automation and technology department. Andrew started in the travel industry as a travel agent booking travel for the military before moving into the travel technology sector. Having held positions at Concur Technologies, AQUA Software, and Apple, he brings a unique perspective to the industry. He currently oversees the extensive technology initiatives and products that Balboa has to offer as well as a team of developers, project managers and quality assurance agents. Andrew holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

  • Sawsan Asad
    Senior Director of Operations

    Sawsan joined the travel industry in 1993 where she started building her expertise with wholesale providers, vacations, groups and corporate travel. Sawsan quickly advanced to a Team Leader and Manager and has managed large agent teams for over 20 years. Sawsan expanded her experience by crossing over into mid office programming. From there she gained valuable experience in understanding the technical aspects of the corporate travel agency environment. Sawsan has demonstrated incredible leadership throughout her tenure at Balboa and excels at building confident, successful teams.

  • Sandee Crouse
    Director of Data Solutions

    An authority in working with corporate travel information. Since 1995, she has been specializing in creating customized SQL queries and dynamic reports to allow client and vendors to formulate faster smarter business decisions. Sandee joined the Balboa Travel team in 2008 and has since coordinated data imports from multiple agencies in many other countries that allow Balboa Travel for the first time to provide a globally consolidated report to several of their clients.

  • Cienna Sajady
    Director of Sales

    Cienna Sajady is on a mission to help clients maximize their travel dollars. Cienna takes the complex travel program and refines a solution to meet clients cost savings goals and business objectives. Her dedication to clients success and tenacity has led to her success at Balboa. In her first year in joining Balboa, she has increased revenue by more than $30 million dollars. She joins us with more than 4 years in the Travel Industry and Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing with an emphasis in Global Studies.

  • RJ Tan-Torres
    Director of Data Protection and Systems Implementation

    RJ joined Balboa Travel in 2000 as a Network Administrator after his tenure in the U.S. Navy. He holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology/Information Systems Security and oversees Balboa Travel’s IT operations and information security initiatives.