Carol Owen
Retreats Resources is the culmination of “Mama Carol’s” 40-year career in the group travel industry. As a subject matter expert on incentive travel, she’s been a writer, a speaker, a panelist, a founding board member, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a mentor and a pioneer in the field of developing experiential incentives. Her work with Bellsouth, AT&T, Cox Communications, Showtime Networks, Time Warner and other media companies has been globally recognized for both vision and execution - and is the source of endless funny stories and treasured memories!
Carol’s profession and her passion are pretty much one and the same - she adores distinctive hotels that offer a unique hospitality experience, likes to understand their vision and help tell their story. From design to fine dining, from ambience to “attitude,” from a sense of place to a sense of peace, she thrives on absorbing each experience and sharing what she has learned with others. That is the reason Retreats Resources was born!
When not traveling, Carol enjoys living in the Chapel Hill area. Eat. Read. Breathe. Live. This is how she aspires to spend her time!
Whitney Bradley
Vice President / Partner
Whitney’s combination of right brain/left brain packs a big punch when it comes to bringing a creative edge to all we do. She’s poised to take the helm of Retreats Resources and expand our company footprint into the entire U.S.
Her background of marketing and corporate event planning spans 20 years and includes past clients such as Verizon, Daimler Chrysler/Mercedes, Michelin, BMW Manufacturing Corporation, First Robotics, Bi-Lo grocery stores, BMW Motorrad, and the Homepoint (Music City) Bowl.
When she’s not “Retreats Resourcing,” she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage daughters, performing with her R&B/contemporary jazz band, and checking off her “Next Chapter Bucket List,” item by glorious item.
Cindy O'Gorman
Director of Business Development
A 20+ year veteran of the hospitality business, Cindy has held key sales leadership positions at Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, The American Club at Kohler, Auberge Hotels & Resorts, Steamboat Ski Resort Corporation, The Island of Lana’i, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and La Costa Resort & Spa. With years of involvement in industry associations such as Financial & Insurance Conference Planners Association, SITE and MPI, she is well known in the industry and takes advantage of a tremendous network of hospitality executives.
Rachel Johnson
As a recent graduate from The University of South Carolina, Rachel brings a new perspective to our Retreats Resources team. With a degree in hospitality management, she is a fountain of knowledge of the industry. Coming from a large, blended family, Rachel learned the importance of having strong, genuine relationships in life and just how much joy they can truly bring. Once she discovered a career path that focused on that as well, she chose Hospitality and never looked back!
Her fresh take on the world, paired with her education, allows Rachel to help bring our events to life. When she’s not helping keep us “young”, Rachel spends her time enjoying good food, great company, and any chance to spend time with her best (furry) friend, Buster.
Lynne Carreiro
Lynne started in the hospitality industry at Walt Disney World. In 10 years she opened four properties on special task force: The Empress Lilly, The Grand Floridian Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort and Pleasure Island. Her special skill was imparting “Pixie Dust” during new employee orientation. Her years there were magical and she met the love of her life who happened to be the chef, and she hasn’t cooked since. ;)
She opened her own insurance agency and for the next 20+ years built a successful business, recruiting top agents who went on win national awards and build their own careers, which made it possible for her to win incentive trips all over the world. Her inner foodie, and love for travel, hospitality and people have led her to join the Retreats Resources team and bring the story full circle back to her hospitality roots. Lynne is Grandma “Bami” to nine young treasures including two sets of twins, or as she calls them her “Grins.” Along with her hubby chef, are expecting their tenth treasure soon.
Mandi Specht
Born and raised in Colorado, Mandi was a Radiologic Clinical Instructor for nine years until her husband was accepted into residency in North Carolina. She’s been homemaker, entrepreneur, and has previous experience in the hospitality industry. She is re-entering the workforce with Retreats Resources and is excited for this new chapter.
Outside of work she enjoys traveling with her family, watching her kids play baseball and softball and of course adores her two dogs. She prides herself in building relationships and teamwork.
Kelli Price
Kelli’s often asked, “What is your favorite subject to photograph?” And replies, “Being part of the Retreats Resources team has made me realize my favorite is working with individuals on their headshots and hear them say, ‘This is my favorite photo, and I hate getting my picture taken!’ I also LOVE telling the story of these amazing events!”
Although Kelli is a vital part of our event team, she's the captain of her own ship most of the year. She can capture your corporate events, meetings, team member headshots, brand photography and more as your award-winning photographer. With a flexible travel schedule, she can also capture your international meetings and incentive programs.
With several years of experience as an event photographer in the Atlanta and Reno/Tahoe Area, she helps you get the most out of your budget while building accolades for your event team and attendees. With 7 years of “hands-on” work in incentive operations with USMotivation, Kelli is well versed in the flow of corporate events.