Born and raised in Utah, Don was fortunate to have the best “natural playground” imaginable, with mountains, deserts and canyons in his backyard. He caught the travel bug while studying and working in Europe in the 1980s, where he was a student at the University of Copenhagen and a resort restaurant worker in Mürren, Switzerland. After college, Don was hired by United Airlines in 1986 – when the airlines were fun! Based in Chicago, Washington, San Francisco and Denver during his airline career, Don visited a great portion of the world – challenge him to name all the world capitals! 

In 1995, Don joined Natural Habitat Adventures. Originally hired as the private group coordinator, he worked mainly with museums, zoos, alumni associations and other non-profit groups. He also served as a “city guide” in Halifax for Nat Hab’s Harp Seal Watch program and in Winnipeg for Polar Bear Watch, and was also the company's Uganda destination manager. After a hiatus from Nat Hab, Don returned in 2007 as director of travel industry relations. In July 2008, he was elected a member of the VAST (Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel) committee for a 3-year term.

With his Utah roots and more than 24 years living in Colorado, it's not surprising that Don loves to ski, hike and mountain bike. He also enjoys playing soccer with several Nat Hab staffers, but traveling to wildest places on the planet is Don’s favorite pastime.