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Our Story & Our Team
OUR STORY & OUR TEAM We are family“This family owned business puts you 1st, from the 1981 JOE DISCOVERS HIS PASSION moment they pick you up Joe attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated with at your door to the return to a degree in American Studies. He enjoyed learning about the your home. I love that you American Experience as reflected in its history, culture, architecture, art, music, flora and fauna. He was fascinated by America’s dramatic never have to think about founding, its revolutionary ideals, system of government, and the tipping, because the company historic figures who have put their imprint on our nation’s story. pays all of them, including drivers, luggage handlers, JOE ENTERS THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY tour guides, wait staff, etc. In 1981 Joe landed a job as a tour director. Leading tours throughout North America, Joe realized the best way to learn The local tour guides are about the American Experience is through travel — to witness in-person places only full of local history, funny described in history books. Travel makes history comes alive. anecdotes, etc. We loved the summer beauty of the 1988 AMERICAN CLASSIC TOURS IS FOUNDED Joe founded American Classic Tours to design, market and operate upscale, all-inclusive Canadian Rockies and were tours throughout America. The tours are infused with an historical perspective in relation to overwhelmed by the fall the broader American Experience. The first trip was in May of 1988 to Nashville, Tennessee color on their Rocky Coast of with Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff at the Grand Ole Opry! Maine trip!” 1989 FIRST HIRE AT AMERICAN CLASSIC, — Sue, October 2019 MARY PELC! After interviewing Mary for 10 minutes, Joe hired her on the spot! With her outgoing personality and great sense of humor Mary was a perfect fit for American Classic Tours. For 30 years Mary has charmed thousands of travelers as a tour director. Mary also is head of our Reservations Department.
1991 JOE MARRIES SHEILA
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Joe married Sheila, the love of his life, in 1991. While Sheila was primarily focused on raising their four children, she has always been involved in operations at American Classic Tours and has been the supportive backbone to Joe and the team. Sheila has been working full-time at American Classic Tours since 2016.
—Judy, November 2018 1993 JD IS BORN
Joe and Sheila welcomed their first child, Joseph Conroy Jr, also known as JD. More on him later…
KIRSTEN JUNG JOINS THE TEAM
Kirsten joined the team in 1993. Her strong work ethic coupled with her warm, easy going manner have won the admiration of travelers over the years. After being the lead tour director for 10+ years, Kirsten became the Director of Tour Operations at American Classic in 2005. Her expertise creates the best itineraries in the industry!
2001 SUZETTE HORYZA JOINS THE TEAM
After partnering with American Classic for many years as a group leader, Suzette officially joined the American Classic Tours team in 2001. Suzette is a tour director and tour designer. A true “Renaissance Woman”, Suzette is blessed with many talents from designing scarves to painting landscapes to playing the ukulele on trips! Her compassion for others is her hallmark.
2004 JAIMIE CARLSON JOINS THE TEAM
Coming from behind the “Cheddar Curtain”, Jaimie left her native Manitowoc, Wisconsin to join the team in 2004. Jaimie is a tour director where she combines her efficient manner and engaging personality. Jaimie is also a tour designer whose attention to detail is unmatched!
2016 JD JOINS THE TEAM
JD joined the team after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign with a degree in History. His energy and enthusiasm shine through as a tour director. As the head of marketing, his innovative ideas have resulted in American Classic Tours being available to a broader market.
2018 AMERICAN CLASSIC LAUNCHES TOUR TV
Thousands of people have already tuned in to American Classic Tour TV. Episodes starring JD & Joe Conroy feature discussions on American history, art, architecture, geography, topography, culture and cuisine. Many episodes include an in-depth preview of our latest tour releases with premium offers & discounts. Tune in on YouTube, Facebook or our American Classic website — americanclassictours.com
2022 OUR LARGEST COLLECTION OF TOURS EVER!
Join us!Our 2022 Collection of Tours features more destinations than ever before! Since 1988, thousands of people have joined our vibrant community of travelers to experience the most beautiful destinations in America. We hope you join us, too!
