MEET OUR STAFF
John Icabone
John Icabone has been president and CEO of Celestial Travel and Tours since 1993. John was an educator for 28 years and during his tenure John and his performing groups were recognized nationally. With this vast and accomplished experience, he opened the student tour division.
Our involvement in trade associations in the travel industry enables our staff to stay on the cutting edge of all changes, developments and offerings of new destinations as well as continuing to build our relationships with all of our suppliers.
As President and CEO of Celestial Travel and Tours it is his responsibility to provide the superior staff with all of the tools that they need to make your travel experiences "memories of a life time."
Nadia Ferebee
Nadia Ferebee is a valued asset in our group department. She assists with group operations as well as many of the daily office functions.
Nadia received her degree in Travel and Tourism Management at one of the top colleges in Colorado. After interning with Celestial Travel & Tours in 2005, she graduated top of her class the same year, and joined Celestial Travel & Tours as a full time employee early 2006.
Nadia grew up in South Africa, and after spending 3 summers as a camp councilor in Missouri, decided on making the United States her home. She moved to Denver in 2001 and is looking forward to raising a family here in Denver, where she recently got married in 2006.
Urte Land
Urte Land, Group Manager of Celestial Travel & Tours has been in the Travel & Tourism industry for almost 20 years. Urte received her education from one of the top schools for tourism and economy in Germany. She attended a 2 ½ year apprenticeship before working mainly in the Corporate Travel and Group Business. Before moving to Denver in February of 2003, Urte has worked for various travel agencies in Europe, as well as America's largest tour wholesaler in Los Angeles.
Urte has continued her education and has become a France, German, and Italian Destination Specialist and is currently working on her degree to become a CSTP (Certified Student Travel Planner). Urte is actively involved with the Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA), and is currently part of the International Committee as well as the Conference Committee.
In her free time she actively plays Tennis. Her biggest achievement is the marriage to her husband Yurii and the birth of their son Jovan.
Karen Rodenheiser
Karen Rodenheiser, manager of our corporate/leisure department has been with Celestial Travel & Tours for 6 years and comes to us with 22 years experience. Karen began her travel career in California before moving to Denver in 1988. Karen has traveled extensively throughout her career visiting such destinations as Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji, the Caribbean, Europe, Italy, Costa Rica, Greece and numerous cruises, to name but a few. Her love of travel shows in her enthusiasm to help her clients plan the perfect vacation whether it's a destination wedding to Jamaica, a honeymoon in Tahiti or a short hop for business and/or a meeting. We are sure you will enjoy working with her.
C. Wayne Manzanares
C. Wayne Manzanares has more than 17 years of experience in the travel industry. His 31 years in public education as a high school and elementary school band director have afforded him a unique perspective and understanding of group travel, recognizing the dynamics and logistics involved in such detailed planning.
He takes great pride and personal satisfaction in tailoring each trip to meet the specific needs of his clients. Wayne considers it an added bonus to be able to accompany groups and is more than happy to share his knowledge gained from both personal and professional involvement in many of the most popular destinations.
Wayne has coordinated and guided group travel throughout Europe and North America; in fact, in 2007, Wayne completed his 15th trip with a marching band to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Because of his attention to detail and impeccable service, many groups look exclusively to Wayne to meet their travel needs.
As a former educator, Wayne especially enjoys the trips that allow him the opportunity to again spend time with some of the best high school kids in the state of Colorado, helping them shape memories that will last for a lifetime.
Ken Ovrebo
Ken retired in 2005 from Canon City High School in Canon City, Colorado. At CCHS, Ken served as the band director and before that at Eaton High School. Ken has traveled with his bands to Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Louisiana, South Dakota and to Mexico.
In retirement, Ken has taken up working for Celestial Travel and Tours as a salesman and tour director, setting up group tours and traveling with the groups from start to finish to ensure everything runs smoothly and to take care of all reservations and outings set up by Celestial Travel and Tours. With Ken's extensive knowledge of Colorado, he also serves as an incoming tour guide for out of state groups visiting Colorado.
Ken is very active in his retirement, helping with marching band and concert band festivals. He currently teaches low brass sectionals at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs. With his extensive music experience and knowledge, Ken is often called upon as a judge for marching band, concert band and solo & ensemble festivals. Ken does everything possible to stay active and up to date in music education.
Ken and his wife Jody, enjoy traveling and taking advantage of all that Colorado has to offer; playing golf, riding bicycles, hiking and fly fishing. When they can, they like to spend time at their cabin, skiing (cross country and downhill) and relaxing in retirement!
