Douglas Herbert

Vice President and Director of International Operations

My Story
After more than two decades in the IT field, I joined the company full-time in 2010.  In the five years leading up to that, I spent a lot of time getting to know the people around the world who make this industry tick, which made the transition an easy one.  Since then, it’s been incredibly rewarding to help grow the company into the close-knit family it is today.

My Travel History and Style
I’ve been fortunate enough to explore a wide array of cultures and places around the world — enough to know that the most meaningful travel rarely, if ever, goes exactly as planned. Delays happen. Weather changes in a moment’s notice.  Plans shift. That’s part of the journey. Experience teaches you how to adapt, stay curious, and appreciate what unfolds along the way.

Favorite Travelers
Every year or 2, Corinne and I take a motley mob of our friends somewhere in the world for a couple of weeks.  In past years, we’ve taken them to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands, Thailand, Hong Kong, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, and Alaska.  Next up on the docket is the Mekong River for about 30 of us, which will be an absolute riot.  These are my favorite types of trips, as the people you’d like to share adventures and memories with are actually on the trip with you.

Favorite Destinations
Australia’s Gold Coast, particularly in February, offers a welcome contrast to the frozen winters in Chicago.  And the more I’ve traveled there, the more I’m drawn to Africa — especially some of the off-the-beaten tracks areas of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, and Zimbabwe — where the landscapes, wildlife, and people create a powerful sense of connection. Once experienced firsthand, Africa has a way of calling you back.

Other enduring favorites I get asked about include New Zealand, Tasmania, Melbourne, Barcelona, Madrid, Ireland, Scotland, Prague, and Alaska.

Hobbies
I was a musician in a modern rock band for quite a few years, and still enjoy dabbling around in it.  I love/hate golf, and it’s fun playing on fantastic tracks around the world when we travel.  I also enjoy summertime in Chicago, hitting the numerous local street festivals for live music and cold and frosty barley pops.