In 1979, Lindblad launched Special Expeditions (now Lindblad Expeditions), a unique travel company aimed at offering marine-focused expeditions aboard small ships for adventurous travelers. Lindblad Expeditions’ itineraries are staffed with expedition leaders, historians, naturalists, cultural authorities, marine biologists and undersea specialists who help to bring expeditions to life for the active and curious traveler. In 2004, Lindblad formed a multifaceted strategic alliance with National Geographic that combines the strengths of two pioneers in exploration and travel, with the goal of further inspiring the world through expedition travel.

Lindblad’s personal experience led to the company’s long-standing commitment to environmentally responsible travel, which has resulted in numerous travel and environmental awards, including the 2007 Global Tourism Business Award from the World Travel and Tourism Council and the 2007 Seafood Champion Award. The company has also received the Condé Nast Traveler 2002 Ecotourism Award and received honors for their environmental achievements by ASTA/Smithsonian magazine and the National Audubon Society. The United Nations Environment Programme recognized Lindblad’s accomplishments, naming him to their Global 500 Roll of Honor. Latin Trade magazine named him Environmentalist of the Year for 2001. Lindblad Expeditions is on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 1997-2002, 2005, 2006 and has been rated among the top ten cruise lines in the world on the magazine’s prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards 1996-2005. Travel + Leisure magazine named the company one of the World’s Best Outfitters and Tour Operators in 2000-2006, ranking Lindblad number one for “World’s Best Values” among cruise lines in 2006.

Lindblad’s vision of his guests visiting a unique location, learning about it, and leaving it intact the way nature created it, has positioned Lindblad Expeditions at the forefront of environmentally sensitive expedition travel. His mission is simple: to provide travelers the opportunity to discover for themselves the natural, cultural and historic regions of the world and to provide thoughtful approaches that make such travels enriching, responsible, safe, fun and memorable.

Lindblad is a member of the General Assembly of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands. In May 2006, he received international recognition for his innovative and successful model of tourism in a ceremony hosted by HRH, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg at the Grand-Ducal Palace. He also had a newly discovered endemic species of moth in the Galapagos Islands, Undulambia lindbladi, named in honor of his conservation work in the archipelago. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Blue Ocean Institute and National Geographic Conservation Trust. He is a past Board of Directors member of the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature and is a past member of the Bi-National Advisory Board of the San Diego Natural History Museum. He is a founding member of the Galapagos Conservation Fund and founding chairman emeritus of Tourism Cares, associated with the United States Tours Operators Association.

Lindblad is also founding chair of Adventure Collection, a family of the world’s most trusted and experienced active travel companies. His photography has appeared in Smithsonian and National Geographic magazines. In addition, he has produced exquisite photography books on Alaska, Baja California and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park published by Rizzoli.

Some of Robertson’s career highlights include the following:

Created Luxury Travel Corporation to consolidate marketing efforts for fragmented tour operator industry. Identified rapid growth in the high-end vacation market. Tour operators focused on a single experience or destination, with little repeat business. Negotiated letters of intent with five large tour operators to facilitate joint marketing and cross referral of clients. Increased marketability of tours without increasing marketing costs.

From 1981 to 1989, Mr. Butz was Expedition Leader on the vessels that Lindblad Expeditions chartered in Alaska and Baja California, and on the Polaris in the British Isles, the Baltic, the Arctic, the Amazon, and the Caribbean. During that same period he helped research and develop land programs in Alaska, the American Southwest, and PapuaNew Guinea. When Lindblad Expeditions acquired the m/v Sea Lion in 1989, he began managing vessel operations for the company. Mr. Butz is currently Vice President of Fleet Operations for Lindblad Expeditions. This vessel management division of the company oversees the marine operation of all of Lindblad Expeditions’ ships: National Geographic Sea Lion, National Geographic Sea Bird, National Geographic Polaris, National Geographic Islander, National Geographic Endeavour, Sea Voyager, and the newest addition to the Lindblad Expeditions fleet, National Geographic Explorer.   

Along with an impressive team of colleagues, Trey expanded the company's field vision to implement a wide variety of high-tech tools – video microscopes, hydrophones, underwater cameras, an ROV, and more – that have helped to illuminate the integral role the undersea plays on every expedition. Soon thereafter, the next innovative phase took place, putting Video Chroniclers on all LEX vessels, and forming an in-house video productions department.

 

As Director of Field Staff & Expedition Technology, Trey joined the Management Committee in early 2002.

Previously she oversaw marketing for Global Adrenaline, a high-end adventure tour operator specializing in luxury adventure travel for affinity and educational groups. Earlier experience also includes marketing, sales and strategy in consumer products and entertainment.

Elizabeth is a graduate of Smith College, with an A.B. in Spanish Literature. She also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Seeking new challenges, Karen left for Natural Habitat Adventures in Boulder, CO in 1997 to direct and oversee all sales, marketing and operations for affinity and incentive markets. Here she was instrumental in generating over 75 new accounts within just two years. Most recently, Ms. Kuttner-Capato was the Director of Sales at Grand Expeditions where she directed and oversaw all affinity sales and marketing for the Nature Platform which included International Expeditions and Park East. She has also been Co-Chair of the Programming Committee for the Educational Travel Conference for the past eight years.

She worked in the restaurant and catering business in New York for several years, before moving to the travel industry in 1993. Before joining Lindblad Expeditions (LEX) in 1997, Jacinta gained valuable experience in the airline industry, and as a product development manager for a local tour operator. Since joining Lindblad, she has worked in several departments and risen steadily through the ranks. Prior to assuming her current role as Vice President of Operations & Travel Agency Sales, Jacinta was the Manager of Reservations and Operations. Jacinta’s passion for travel led her to LEX while her remarkable work ethic has allowed her to manage many different areas of the company.

With tremendous skills and experience in ice navigation, Captain Skog began working for expedition ships in the Arctic and Antarctic in the late 70s. He worked as Ice Master onboard MS Thuleland, MS Columbialand, MS Ocean Princess and MS Illiria. The Brostroms Shipping Company appointed Captain Skog as consultant for a mission in the Beaufort Sea, Canadian Arctic, and Antarctica with their specially designed ice-going lumber/bulk carrier, MS Thulelandand Columbialand. The mission in Antarctica was to transport all necessary equipment, explosives, fuel and provision to build the largest airstrip in Antarctica at the Rothera Base for the British Antarctic Survey. Captain Skog was appointed as Ice Master and Project Leader for the shipping and landing of all the heavy equipment.

Lindblad Expeditions is a member of International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), and Captain Skog was recently the chairman of the Marine Committee and he was the architect for an IAATO-wide Emergency Contingency Plan for all passenger ships cruising in Antarctica. The plan focused on how ships in the vicinity of the peninsula would communicate, coordinate and respond in the event of a marine disaster.

Captain Skog holds a Master Mariner’s Degree and a Marine Engineering Degree from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and a diploma in advanced Shipping Business Economics and Trading. Before he became a Captain in 1984, he worked as Officer on a number of different types of vessels including general cargo ships, LPG-gas tankers, O/O-ships of 275,000 MT DW and ULCC-ship of 375,000 MT DW, 800 passenger ship, 1,200 passenger ship and multi-purposed Helium Deep Diving Support Vessel.

Since 2004, as Vice President of Shipboard Services Kris has led the guest services initiatives throughout the fleet, applying her personal passion for cuisine and hospitality to Lindblad’s operations. From LEX’s food and beverage program – decidedly focused on incorporating regionally-specific elements to every meal served on board and utilizing the freshest local provisions – to ship renovations, improvements, and services, Kris sees that the nuances of each destination are reflected throughout the shipboard experience. From the flavors of the menu to what is offered in the ship’s gift shop, the experience on board becomes part of every expedition. Kris also ensures the fleet’s guest services are in-step with LEX’s commitment to sustainability: utilizing partnerships with organizations such as Blue Ocean Institute, Chefs Collaborative, and Aid to Artisans, to inform operational decisions that translate to responsible hospitality and tourism.

Kris and her husband George have one daughter and live on Vashon Island, Washington, where they also own and operate a winery and organic farm.

Before joining Lindblad in June of 2004, MJ ran her own communications firm dedicated to the strategic communications, branding and advocacy initiatives of many leading socially responsible consumer brands from Odwalla and Fresh Samantha to Honest Tea, and Stonyfield Farm where she served as Communications VP for five years.

Throughout MJ’s communications career she has worked on issues ranging from climate change to organic standards to fair trade and food sustainability issues. She describes herself in this work as an educator, helping consumers sift through confusing issues and to view their purchases as a ‘vote’ for improving the things they care about whether it be their own health or the health of the planet.

Viederman has learned through experience that business is the most important institution in society today and ultimately, what will guide the dramatic shift toward environmental change that will bring the most hope to the planet.

She is the mother of two children, an avid outdoor enthusiast, runner, skier and gardener. She and her husband Dan enjoy hiking in the hills of western Mass. Where they now live is a nice change from hiking China’s Great Wall where Dan directed WWF’s China program.