|
|||
|
Contact: Glenn M. Faria
Born and raised in the wilds of upstate New York on Lake Champlain in Plattsburg, Fountain exemplifies the self-made man. He started working early and held three summer jobs to fund his education at Walsh College in Ohio where he earned a baccalaureate degree in business with majors in accounting, finance and management. Through life's invariable twists and turns, Fountain began his career in tourism through a referral by a longtime chum and roommate. He began by escorting tours for the now-defunct Michaud Tours of Salem, Massachusetts. And talk about kismet, Fountain met his future wife on a bus tour to Canada he was escorting. After Michaud Tours went out of business, Fountain began a short career as a hotelier and became the director of sales for the Inn at Danvers, there earning an enviable reputation as a savvy and likable representative. He soon came to the attention of the 'powers that were' at Yankee Holidays, a medium-size tour operator. He advanced rapidly from tour escort to reservations and, ultimately, to the group department. His impact on the department was dramatic, and he implemented heretofore unheard of customization of tours, among other enhancements. He managed the group department for four years, his skill and business savvy turning the department into the company's most profitable during his tenure. Building on the strength of his track record there, Fountain implemented new-and considerably more profitable-individual packages for sale to consumers. As an analytical thinker, Fountain made use of computer (and other) reports to identify the most profitable lines of business and began managing the company fiscally as well as operationally. In 1989, Fountain was elevated to senior vice president and general manager of the company, which continued to prosper under his stewardship. In recognition of his tremendous contribution to the firm, he was named president and general manager of Yankee Holidays in 1994 and the firm continued to grow in size and reputation.In 1999, after 16 years at Yankee Holidays, Fountain felt the time had come to strike out on his own. He spent several months thinking while renovating his new home, reflecting on what he liked and did not like about his career up to that point. He needed greater challenges and more people-interactivity and, finding these absent in the job market, decided to acquiesce to his entrepreneurial nature, using his investments to fund his own company, Fountain Tours, which opened for business in November 1999. Fountain's philosophies charted his new company's course in many ways. He enjoys being the "expert" and, in particular, enjoys working with travel agents. He is very committed to travel agents, whose community he has worked with for his entire professional career. As a thrifty Yankee type, Fountain is a true consumer advocate, always attempting to find lower prices or ways to cut prices for his clientele. He loves helping his clients enjoy themselves knowing that he has saved them money and provided the very best experience for the money. His suppliers shrink when they see him crossing their thresholds-they all know he is there to negotiate price. And a better negotiator is not to be had in these parts. Fountain and his wife, Eugenia, who works with him at Fountain Tours, live in Salem, Massachusetts. |
|||
