Meet the Team Q&A: Jeff Potter
We’ve got a great team here at Manifest, committed to curating the best trips and helping you plan the most unforgettable vacation experiences, and we thought you might like to meet them.
So, each month, we’re highlighting a different team member — asking them to share their travel industry experience as well as their favorite vacations, places they’d like to visit, and bucket-list dream getaways.
Name: Jeff Potter
Position at Manifest: Founder and CEO
Bio: Born in France and living abroad for much of his upbringing set the stage for Jeff’s passion for traveling and experiencing different cultures. His travels have since taken him to all corners of the world including the Galapagos Islands, the Dalmatian Coast, and Vietnam just to name a few. During his travels, as he was exposed to new settings and adventures, it strengthened his belief that much was yet to be discovered within a matter of hours of where he lives. This progression of thought is the premise for the travel experiences offered by Manifest — you don’t have to go far to go beyond.
During his extensive career in aviation and hospitality, which included CEO roles at Frontier Airlines, Exclusive Resorts, CMH Heli-Skiing, and Surf Air, he fortunately achieved some successes, but more importantly lessons learned — all of which have been incorporated into the foundation of Manifest to ensure that member experience exceeds all expectations.
How long have you worked in the travel industry? 41 years — started as an aircraft cleaner for the “old” Frontier Airlines, then ticket agent, and the journey began!
What’s your favorite vacation you’ve ever taken? There are two — for very different reasons. The first was a trip to Italy. This trip fulfilled all the hopes of a traditional luxe experience. We traveled with three other couples — all close friends — and stayed at a beautiful home in the middle of a 20-acre olive orchard in Tuscany. It was one thing to see the incredible sights and experiences of Italy, but to share those experiences was equally as satisfying.
The second trip was a trip to Alaska — my wife Kelly planned every aspect of the 10-day trip that included salmon fishing, flying around Denali, bear watching (up close!), and an ocean trip viewing of glaciers and whales. Unlike other luxe trips, most of the accommodations were better classified as “rustic” or “authentic,” and the lesson for me was exactly that…the best experiences, or even bucket-list trips are the authentic ones.
Are there any places you’d like to visit that you haven’t yet been to? Scotland and Israel
What’s your ideal, bucket-list vacation? Probably spending 1-2 weeks in Israel and the surrounding Holy Lands — no greater history.
Best piece of travel advice or travel motto? “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” — St. Augustine
You can learn more about Manifest on our website. And if you are curious about the types of vacations our team puts together and want to check out the incredible travel experiences we are currently offering, be sure to visit our Experiences page.