PHOTO: Dan Sullivan and family members on the Collette staff. (Courtesy of Collette)
Collette, the Pawtucket, R.I.-based tour operator, is a real family travel business.
The oldest existing American tour operator, Collette dates back to 1918 when it was founded by Jack Collette. He sold the company in 1962 to Dan Sullivan, the father of the Dan Sullivan who is now president of the company.
When Collette introduced its family travel series in December 2010, the company had a great deal of experience to bring to bear in family travel.
"We're the oldest tour operator in America and we're a family business," said Sullivan. "We started traveling as a family in 1995. Eighty of us went to Ireland that year. Every year we have between 40 and 80 family members go on one of our trips somewhere. This year we're going to New York at Christmas time."
The extended Sullivan family is a large clan.
"My father had seven brothers and sisters," said Sullivan. "I have three brothers and three sisters. Of 570 employees there are 10 Sullivan family members in the company. One of my father's sisters still works for us in the air department. She's been with the company for 50 years. My mother is chairwoman of Collette board. So there are two from that generation who are still very involved.
"My brother Gary guides tours. He owns the White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, N.H., but he tour guides several times a year. Gary's been tour guiding all his life, for 40 years.
"My sister Lynne Kelly works with my daughter Nicole for Collette Cares, the philanthropic arm of the company, the Collette Foundation, giving back to children around the world. One of my nieces is product manager for the U.K. and one of my nephews works in the IT department, so it is certainly intergenerational, and many family members from many branches are involved with the company in all different departments."
Dan Sullivan's three children all work within the company. His son Daniel Sullivan IV is vice president of strategic accounts. His daughter Jaclyn Leibl-Cote has worked with the company since she was 15 and is now director of strategic product. His daughter Nicole Diebold oversees volunteer efforts of the Collette Foundation.
There are four grandchildren, who will be on this Christmas' Sullivan family trip to New York, and one on the way.
To qualify to officially join the company, the family members all have to put in at least three years working outside the company. "They can choose not to come into the business, but they all want to come in," said Sullivan.
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