Today we’d like to introduce you to David Marek.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first went to Africa (Botswana specifically) in 1978 which was 6 months out of Texas A & M university. I went there to check on the newly acquired company called Ker Downey & Selby. This is when I saw my first African elephants while flying over the Okavango Delta in a Cessna 206. I’ve never forgotten that experience with my face smashed into the aircraft window trying to take in every square inch of what I was seeing. I was hooked. It was many years later I was appointed Financial VP of a company that owned safari operations in Botswana and Tanzania as well as trekking in Nepal and a tour operating company in Houston called Ker & Downey. In 1995 I became one of the owners of the tour operating company in the USA.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t think these things are ever smooth, and especially so in the travel business. Since I’ve been an owner, we’ve had 9/11 happen, several wars, Ebola, countless terrorism attacks, a global recession, and countless other issues that affect international travel on a continuing basis.
Ker & Downey – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We’ve acquired the reputation of being one of the best travel companies in the world. This has taken a lot of hard work, countless hours making sure that our clients have the best experience available. We start by hiring people who have a passion for what we do, then we send them to the destinations of their specialty so they are always aware of the best lodges, best restaurants, best place to relax, best place to enjoy a spa, etc
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success by the reports we get back from clients. Our clients love what we do and they keep coming back for more “bucket list’ items. Our best advertising is our past travelers and we love their enthusiasm for what we provide.
Contact Info:
- Address:
6703 Highway Blvd
Katy, TX 77494 - Website: www.kerdowney.com
- Phone: 1-800-423-4236
- Email: info@kerdowney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerdowney/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerandDowney
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kerdowney
Image Credit:
Ker & Downey
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