Joe’s love for Latin America began at an early age, growing up around Cuban American friends in Tampa, Florida. He went on to major in Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Florida, where his passion for travel was sparked by nearly a year of living in Brazil and traveling to Argentina and Paraguay.

Not long after returning to the US, Joe found a way to combine his twin passions by joining the Exeter International team, where he served as Latin America Sales Director for several years before life took him to Washington DC for a bit of a detour managing international development projects in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Ultimately, the travel bug led Joe back to Exeter International, where he spent several years growing Exeter’s business from Latin American clients before co-founding Exeter Latin America (then Almaz Journeys) in 2016 with Greg Tepper. Joe leads his like-minded team in crafting itineraries that show our guests the best of Latin America, and his expertise has been recognized by leading publications including Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Joe now lives in San Francisco, the birthplace of the sourdough bread he enjoys baking with various degrees of success.

Greg is the founder of The Exeter Collection, three individual companies specializing in luxury custom-private travel to Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The first of these companies Exeter International, celebrated 30 years in business in 2023 and is considered an industry leader. Joe was among the first employees at Exeter International, managing Latin American travelers visiting Central and Eastern Europe. Recognizing that Joe’s passion lay in Latin America, Greg went into business with Joe and launched Almaz Journeys (now Exeter Latin America) in 2016.

Their collaboration reflects Greg’s commitment to expanding the world of tailored travel experiences based on finding the people with the right expertise in crafting unforgettable journeys, rather than starting with expansion and then finding the right expertise. Greg has since developed his passion for Latin America, leading small groups of travelers to Argentina, Peru, Colombia, and Chile. In 2019, Greg launched the Exeter Safari Company with Scott Simpson, specializing in exceptional African Safaris.

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Kyle has spent years perfecting his Spanish language skills, starting with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University. Following graduation, Kyle hit the road with 4 months of traveling and volunteering across Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. In the process, Kyle not only perfected his Spanish but also deepened his love for and understanding of the diverse cultures and languages of South America. Next, he headed to Merida, Spain, where he spent a year teaching English and using every long weekend to travel across Europe. On return to the US, Kyle worked as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher for a spell before joining the Exeter Latin America team in 2019. Kyle excels at family and group trips across our destinations, as well as keeping our team laughing with his quick wit and sense of humor.

Born in the enchanting city of Guadalajara, Mexico, Laly’s story is one of rediscovery – a tale of falling in love with the land of her roots anew. Laly moved to the US as a toddler but by her early teens began returning to and exploring Mexico regularly, approaching its wonders with the eyes of a curious tourist. Whether it’s visiting family in Guadalajara or scouting new guest experiences elsewhere in Mexico, each trip back to her birth country is a dance between nostalgia and newfound appreciation. As one of our Travel Designers, she brings her unique perspective and love for all things Latin America to every custom journey she creates – plus a sunny disposition that brightens our day.

Marina is from and based in the beautiful Dominican Republic. She joined our team in early 2024 with eight years of hospitality experience and over a decade in sales and customer service. She’s her career around creating memorable moments and making people feel at home—whether in hotels, travel experiences, or day-to-day interactions.

A marketing and modern languages graduate, Marina is continually inspired by the warmth, rhythm, and vibrant spirit of Latin America. Its culture, music, and people are a huge part of why she loves working in tourism. Dancing, music, and family fuel her life, and she brings that same energy, joy, and heart into everything she does for Exeter Latin America and our guests.

Javier, lover of adventure and world cultures, initially pursued a Hospitality Management degree in his hometown, Quito, Ecuador. After gaining experience in hotels and events, he elevated his career through the Disney College program in Orlando, Florida. Despite pandemic challenges, he returned to Ecuador, completing another bachelor’s degree in marketing. Leveraging online opportunities during the pandemic, he worked abroad, traversing Central America while pursuing his studies. He backpacked while remotely contributing to digital marketing firms. Immersed in diverse cultures, he cultivated a robust network, propelling his career. Nowadays he takes pride in his role for Exeter Latin America, crafting exceptional experiences. His profound passion for cultures, languages, and exploration, coupled with travel industry expertise, makes him a valued part of our team.

Stephanye was born in beautiful Chiapas, Mexico, and has always had travel in her heart. After studying Tourism Business Administration, she packed her bags and headed to Playa del Carmen in 2016—chasing her dream of living by the beach and polishing her English (with the Caribbean breeze as her study partner).

Since then, she’s been fully immersed in the world of hospitality, welcoming guests from all over the world and perfecting the art of great service. Her own adventures have taken her to Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, the USA, and most recently on a nearly three-month journey through Peru. From the turquoise waters of Laguna Parón in Huaraz to the magic of Machu Picchu, she loves diving into local cultures, flavors, and everyday life wherever she goes.

These experiences—combined with her passion for people—make her a natural fit for our team. She recently helped host a VIP group in Playa del Carmen and is excited for many more adventures with us!