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Dawn Travel

Cliff Hawk, Co-Founder, Dawn Travel

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Hi.  Welcome to Dawn Travel.  I have spent my career in tourism and technology and Dawn Travel is my second travel company that focuses on helping people find the best cruise, tours, and vacations.  Below are some of my achievements and experience.   You can also visit my LinkedIn page that has the same info:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffhawk/ 

Thank you, and I look forward to serving you and your luxury travel needs.

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Cliff

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Co-Founder

Zeffer LLC · Self-employed

Zeffer LLC · Self-employedNov 2024 - Present · 1 moNov 2024 to Present · 1 moRedmond, Washington, United States · HybridRedmond, Washington, United States · Hybrid

  • A new search engine that offers honest information, unbiased results, optional history, no algorithms, and no ads. Powered primarily by machine learning and trained gpt models. Consumer subscription business model via mobile apps build and targeted according to common advertising demographics.

    I am reuniting with old friends from Microsoft, Bing, and aQuantive who are experts in search and digital information. I believe the tools of trust and honest information are already made. They just need some tweaking, good branding, and bright people to put the puzzle together. Let me know if you want to help!A new search engine that offers honest information, unbiased results, optional history, no algorithms, and no ads. Powered primarily by machine learning and trained gpt models. Consumer subscription business model via mobile apps build and targeted according to common advertising demographics. I am reuniting with old friends from Microsoft, Bing, and aQuantive who are experts in search and digital information. I believe the tools of trust and honest information are already made. They just need some tweaking, good branding, and bright people to put the puzzle together. Let me know if you want to help!

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    Co-FounderCo-Founder
    Dawn TravelDawn TravelOct 2023 - Present · 1 yr 2 mosOct 2023 to Present · 1 yr 2 mosRedmond, Washington, United StatesRedmond, Washington, United States
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    • Dawn Travel LLC is a luxury travel marketing and media company offering custom travel, private tours, and specialty cruises worldwide. We are a partner and affiliate of the Navigtr family of companies with over $1B in leisure travel bookings. Utilizing AI content generation and full native cloud technologies and offshore development in India, Ukraine, and Argentina. Home office in Redmond, WA. Dawn Travel LLC is working to make luxury travel easier to purchase from brands people can trust.Dawn Travel LLC is a luxury travel marketing and media company offering custom travel, private tours, and specialty cruises worldwide. We are a partner and affiliate of the Navigtr family of companies with over $1B in leisure travel bookings. Utilizing AI content generation and full native cloud technologies and offshore development in India, Ukraine, and Argentina. Home office in Redmond, WA. Dawn Travel LLC is working to make luxury travel easier to purchase from brands people can trust.

    • Skills: Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Product Development · Generative AISkills: Artificial Intelligence (AI) · Product Development · Generative AI



  • PartnerPartner
    Social Venture Partners SeattleSocial Venture Partners SeattleJan 2022 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mosJan 2022 to Present · 2 yrs 11 mosSeattle, Washington, United StatesSeattle, Washington, United States
     

    • Partner at an innovative non-profit that helps match business and technology leaders with non-profits that are trying to achieve a more equitable society. There are a lot of ex-Microsoft employees and they help guide these non profits and provide oversight.Partner at an innovative non-profit that helps match business and technology leaders with non-profits that are trying to achieve a more equitable society. There are a lot of ex-Microsoft employees and they help guide these non profits and provide oversight.

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • Advisor for MicrosoftAdvisor for Microsoft
    Voices for InnovationVoices for InnovationSep 2020 - Present · 4 yrs 3 mosSep 2020 to Present · 4 yrs 3 mosRedmond, Washington, United StatesRedmond, Washington, United States
     

    • Recruited to be an Advisor for Microsoft for their Voices of Innovation initiative. Voices for Innovation is a Microsoft-supported community of technology professionals committed to advancing discussions and policy for the most important technology challenges. We are advocates for public policies that foster innovation, support business growth, and enable technology to address societal challenges.Recruited to be an Advisor for Microsoft for their Voices of Innovation initiative. Voices for Innovation is a Microsoft-supported community of technology professionals committed to advancing discussions and policy for the most important technology challenges. We are advocates for public policies that foster innovation, support business growth, and enable technology to address societal challenges.



  • Management ConsultantManagement Consultant
    Hawk Consulting LLC · Self-employedHawk Consulting LLC · Self-employedJun 2009 - Present · 15 yrs 6 mosJun 2009 to Present · 15 yrs 6 mosBellevue, Washington, United StatesBellevue, Washington, United States
     

    • Advising C level executives at traditional, VC, and PE backed firms on a variety of digital marketing, management strategy, and new product development projects. Advised WalkScore (acquired by Redfin) on their app distribution and biz dev strategy, bidaoo on marketing strategy, Kensington Tours on search engine marketing, Brenthaven on digital advertising, AdReady in product development, Microsoft, Expedia, and a few more I cannot mention because of mutual NDA agreements. I'm currently not advising and mostly focused on my startup, and I recommend Unify Consulting if you are in need of senior level marketing, business, and technology consultants. Darren is the best!Advising C level executives at traditional, VC, and PE backed firms on a variety of digital marketing, management strategy, and new product development projects. Advised WalkScore (acquired by Redfin) on their app distribution and biz dev strategy, bidaoo on marketing strategy, Kensington Tours on search engine marketing, Brenthaven on digital advertising, AdReady in product development, Microsoft, Expedia, and a few more I cannot mention because of mutual NDA agreements. I'm currently not advising and mostly focused on my startup, and I recommend Unify Consulting if you are in need of senior level marketing, business, and technology consultants. Darren is the best!

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • Board MemberBoard Member
    YMCA of Greater Seattle · Part-timeYMCA of Greater Seattle · Part-timeAug 2012 - Mar 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mosAug 2012 to Mar 2015 · 2 yrs 8 mosSeattle, Washington, United StatesSeattle, Washington, United States
     

    • As a board member of the YMCA, I was honored to contribute to an organization that champions community well-being, youth development, and access to fitness resources. The YMCA’s gym facilities have been invaluable in helping my family stay active and healthy. My son is particularly enthusiastic about the Y’s sports programs, where he’s grown in confidence and skill through their supportive coaching and team-building activities. Being part of an organization that combines fitness, community, and youth empowerment has been a truly rewarding experience.As a board member of the YMCA, I was honored to contribute to an organization that champions community well-being, youth development, and access to fitness resources. The YMCA’s gym facilities have been invaluable in helping my family stay active and healthy. My son is particularly enthusiastic about the Y’s sports programs, where he’s grown in confidence and skill through their supportive coaching and team-building activities. Being part of an organization that combines fitness, community, and youth empowerment has been a truly rewarding experience.



  • Founder, CEO, EntrepreneurFounder, CEO, Entrepreneur
    VoyageTrek · Full-timeVoyageTrek · Full-timeJul 2007 - Feb 2015 · 7 yrs 8 mosJul 2007 to Feb 2015 · 7 yrs 8 mosGreater Seattle AreaGreater Seattle Area
     

    • Internet start-up focused on helping people find their ideal vacations, and on helping tour operators and specialty travel companies find their ideal customers. The company sold advertising and travel inquiry leads to large leisure travel tour and cruise companies and became profitable in 2009 and then was acquired in 2013 after four years of rapid sales and profit growth. Net positive cash flow in 2012 was extremely high for a small company and continued to grow fast post acquisition, meeting all earn out goals. Our company was the largest buyer of tourism related keywords in Google and Bing. The company employed a talented mix of employees, but was mostly run by offshore developers in New Delhi and Kyiv. I was retained as CEO for a few years post acquisition and was responsible for training a new team and transitioning the business to new ownership. The company was resold in 2015 and integrated into a larger online media and lead generation company, but unfortunately that led to a slow decline after key employees quit. I feel fortunate that this venture survived and thrived at all given the odds and timing. Starting a luxury travel website in 2007 was just in time for a financial market meltdown and a collapse of all leisure travel. Perseverance and optimism were my best skills. The business returned over 140x my investment and allowed me to diversify my investments and time.

      Thank you to my mentors, and all those who encouraged me to keep going when the going got tough:
      Cory Van Arsdale, Richard Bangs, John Hawk, Scott Armstrong, Steve Anderson, Mike Mathieu, Matt Lerner, Bill Whitham, Moritz Loew (RIP my friend), Chris Galle, Amy Hood, Ann Kelly, John Lusk, Tracie Thorson, Karl Siebrecht, Mike Galgon, and so many others.Internet start-up focused on helping people find their ideal vacations, and on helping tour operators and specialty travel companies find their ideal customers. The company sold advertising and travel inquiry leads to large leisure travel tour and cruise companies and became profitable in 2009 and then was acquired in 2013 after four years of rapid sales and profit growth. Net positive cash flow in 2012 was extremely high for a small company and continued to grow fast post acquisition, meeting all earn out goals. Our company was the largest buyer of tourism related keywords in Google and Bing. The company employed a talented mix of employees, but was mostly run by offshore developers in New Delhi and Kyiv. I was retained as CEO for a few years post acquisition and was responsible for training a new team and transitioning the business to new ownership. The company was resold in 2015 and integrated into a larger online media and lead generation company, but unfortunately that led to a slow decline after key employees quit. I feel fortunate that this venture survived and thrived at all given the odds and timing. Starting a luxury travel website in 2007 was just in time for a financial market meltdown and a collapse of all leisure travel. Perseverance and optimism were my best skills. The business returned over 140x my investment and allowed me to diversify my investments and time. Thank you to my mentors, and all those who encouraged me to keep going when the going got tough: Cory Van Arsdale, Richard Bangs, John Hawk, Scott Armstrong, Steve Anderson, Mike Mathieu, Matt Lerner, Bill Whitham, Moritz Loew (RIP my friend), Chris Galle, Amy Hood, Ann Kelly, John Lusk, Tracie Thorson, Karl Siebrecht, Mike Galgon, and so many others.

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • PartnerPartner
    Y Combinator · Part-timeY Combinator · Part-timeJan 2011 - Sep 2012 · 1 yr 9 mosJan 2011 to Sep 2012 · 1 yr 9 mosSan Francisco, California, United States · RemoteSan Francisco, California, United States · Remote
     

    • As a visiting partner and mentor at Y Combinator, I had the rewarding role of mentoring entrepreneurs and their cohorts, guiding them through the unique challenges of building and scaling their startups. My expertise lies in marketing, advertising, digital travel, and travel media, where I worked closely with founders to develop strategic insights and practical solutions tailored to their growth needs. I provided advice for Grouper and TourBase and made angel investments. I also provided advice to travel company in Techstars Seattle called Rexby.

      I would recommend Y Combinator or Techstar mentoring programs to new entrepreneurs who want to raise venture capital. The Techstars one has a UW building HQ right next to campus and theri org is on par with Y Combinator, I think.

      Generally speaking, when I advise younger entrepreneurs, I don't recommend funding a startup with Venture Capital. Only start a VC company if you want to build a big company really fast or are already wealthy and want help. The VC route is great at 'get big fast' and comfortable with 'breaking things', which sometimes leads to burnout, immature products, and generally not being an enterprise that makes other people's lives better. Try to help people first, the money will follow.

      VC's make 2% of their funds + 20% of invested returns for the chance they will invest in a unicorn. So, the system is built to burn through entrepreneurs, who usually go for slim chance of $1B rather than bootstrap their way to $10M. But the 80% who fail often fall behind on their careers, work for 50% less than an Amazon or Microsoft, struggle with poor benefits and retirement matching funds, and deal with the stress and uncertainty of a volatile environment. Food for thought :)As a visiting partner and mentor at Y Combinator, I had the rewarding role of mentoring entrepreneurs and their cohorts, guiding them through the unique challenges of building and scaling their startups. My expertise lies in marketing, advertising, digital travel, and travel media, where I worked closely with founders to develop strategic insights and practical solutions tailored to their growth needs. I provided advice for Grouper and TourBase and made angel investments. I also provided advice to travel company in Techstars Seattle called Rexby. I would recommend Y Combinator or Techstar mentoring programs to new entrepreneurs who want to raise venture capital. The Techstars one has a UW building HQ right next to campus and theri org is on par with Y Combinator, I think. Generally speaking, when I advise younger entrepreneurs, I don't recommend funding a startup with Venture Capital. Only start a VC company if you want to build a big company really fast or are already wealthy and want help. The VC route is great at 'get big fast' and comfortable with 'breaking things', which sometimes leads to burnout, immature products, and generally not being an enterprise that makes other people's lives better. Try to help people first, the money will follow. VC's make 2% of their funds + 20% of invested returns for the chance they will invest in a unicorn. So, the system is built to burn through entrepreneurs, who usually go for slim chance of $1B rather than bootstrap their way to $10M. But the 80% who fail often fall behind on their careers, work for 50% less than an Amazon or Microsoft, struggle with poor benefits and retirement matching funds, and deal with the stress and uncertainty of a volatile environment. Food for thought :)

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • MicrosoftMicrosoft
    Full-time · 6 yrs 8 mosFull-time · 6 yrs 8 mos

    • Director, Business Development, Bing & Search Research GroupDirector, Business Development, Bing & Search Research Group
      Feb 2005 - Jun 2007 · 2 yrs 5 mosFeb 2005 to Jun 2007 · 2 yrs 5 mosRedmond, WARedmond, WA
       

      • Specially recruited by Business Development and Bing leaders to join the high-profile search team in support of Premium Content initiatives including launching Academic Search and co-leading a team developing Book Search, and was part of the leadership team making decisions on product features, business models, and analysis of strategic partners and acquisitions. Bill Gates always wanted to build an ebook reader device and a digital library, so I felt privileged to get recruited for this project. I managed and led a team of account managers and business development managers, who interfaced to onboard book publishers. Led outreach and negotiations with C level executives at all the major book publishing companies and held private meetings with CEOs of all the largest book publishers including Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, McGraw Hill, Elsevier, Random House, and Hachette.Specially recruited by Business Development and Bing leaders to join the high-profile search team in support of Premium Content initiatives including launching Academic Search and co-leading a team developing Book Search, and was part of the leadership team making decisions on product features, business models, and analysis of strategic partners and acquisitions. Bill Gates always wanted to build an ebook reader device and a digital library, so I felt privileged to get recruited for this project. I managed and led a team of account managers and business development managers, who interfaced to onboard book publishers. Led outreach and negotiations with C level executives at all the major book publishing companies and held private meetings with CEOs of all the largest book publishers including Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins, McGraw Hill, Elsevier, Random House, and Hachette.

      • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development

    • Director, Business Development, MSN.com and New VenturesDirector, Business Development, MSN.com and New Ventures
      Jun 2002 - Feb 2005 · 2 yrs 9 mosJun 2002 to Feb 2005 · 2 yrs 9 mosRedmond, Washington, United StatesRedmond, Washington, United States
       

      • Negotiated, closed, and managed dozens of deals with strategic MSN partners and was responsible for relationships with senior executives at top traditional and digital media companies. Led and managed a team of content and business development managers. Owned content sourcing and distribution for MSN real estate, travel. lifestyles, and video. Launched MSN Video, before YouTube existed. Worked cross functionally with editorial, advertising sales, finance, marketing, legal, and across MSN and Bing.Negotiated, closed, and managed dozens of deals with strategic MSN partners and was responsible for relationships with senior executives at top traditional and digital media companies. Led and managed a team of content and business development managers. Owned content sourcing and distribution for MSN real estate, travel. lifestyles, and video. Launched MSN Video, before YouTube existed. Worked cross functionally with editorial, advertising sales, finance, marketing, legal, and across MSN and Bing.

      • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development

    • Senior Product Manager, MSNSenior Product Manager, MSN
      Nov 2000 - Jun 2002 · 1 yr 8 mosNov 2000 to Jun 2002 · 1 yr 8 mosRedmond, Washington, United StatesRedmond, Washington, United States
       

      • Led advertising product development, advertising strategy, and people management on multiple Microsoft MSN websites representing over $175,000,000 in annual revenue and as part of MSN’s central advertising revenue strategy and planning group. Recruited to be the first product manager for what is now Bing Ads, an $7B+ a year business, and led strategy and execution on the product from $0 to until it hit $14M per month in revenue. Led product planning and advertising strategy on several MSN channels. Managed a group of editors and account managers. I also was part of the corporate development cross-functional group that made the business case to senior leadership for Microsoft to purchase search ad company Overature, one of the few profitable digital advertising companies around 2003. Our virtual team lost that argument to the search group who wanted to build their own ad system. Yahoo won the deal and bought Overature (NASDAQ: OVER) for $1.6B. Three years later Yahoo was selling $5B in search ads annually. The egos of rich and powerful people often obscurers their decisions and good advice.

        Thank you to all my Microsoft mentors:
        Chuck Frizelle, Jeff Bernstein, Moritz Loew (RIP my friend), Chris Galle, Bill Whitham, Gregg Albright, Rich Bray, Don Holtzinger, James McClamroch, Cory Van Arsdale, David Britain, Joe Mele, Eva Corets, Dell Wilkinson, Celia Wu, Blake Irving, Kim Oberg, Shirley Heath, Bruce Jaffe, Stephen Cvengros, Henry Hall, Yuki Ishizuka, Michael Maggs, Lisa Utzschneider, John Russell, John Flinn, Bill Shaughnessy, Joanne Bradford, Murray Vince, John Krass, Steve Tapia, Danielle Tiedt, David Stansbury, Karen Olcott, Cathay Mabee, Mike Ulvestad, John Genna, Sandy Henson, Bill Sanders, and so so many others.Led advertising product development, advertising strategy, and people management on multiple Microsoft MSN websites representing over $175,000,000 in annual revenue and as part of MSN’s central advertising revenue strategy and planning group. Recruited to be the first product manager for what is now Bing Ads, an $7B+ a year business, and led strategy and execution on the product from $0 to until it hit $14M per month in revenue. Led product planning and advertising strategy on several MSN channels. Managed a group of editors and account managers. I also was part of the corporate development cross-functional group that made the business case to senior leadership for Microsoft to purchase search ad company Overature, one of the few profitable digital advertising companies around 2003. Our virtual team lost that argument to the search group who wanted to build their own ad system. Yahoo won the deal and bought Overature (NASDAQ: OVER) for $1.6B. Three years later Yahoo was selling $5B in search ads annually. The egos of rich and powerful people often obscurers their decisions and good advice. Thank you to all my Microsoft mentors: Chuck Frizelle, Jeff Bernstein, Moritz Loew (RIP my friend), Chris Galle, Bill Whitham, Gregg Albright, Rich Bray, Don Holtzinger, James McClamroch, Cory Van Arsdale, David Britain, Joe Mele, Eva Corets, Dell Wilkinson, Celia Wu, Blake Irving, Kim Oberg, Shirley Heath, Bruce Jaffe, Stephen Cvengros, Henry Hall, Yuki Ishizuka, Michael Maggs, Lisa Utzschneider, John Russell, John Flinn, Bill Shaughnessy, Joanne Bradford, Murray Vince, John Krass, Steve Tapia, Danielle Tiedt, David Stansbury, Karen Olcott, Cathay Mabee, Mike Ulvestad, John Genna, Sandy Henson, Bill Sanders, and so so many others.

      • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development

  • aQuantive/MicrosoftaQuantive/Microsoft
    Full-time · 2 yrs 8 mosFull-time · 2 yrs 8 mosSeattle, Washington, United StatesSeattle, Washington, United States

    • Senior Product ManagerSenior Product Manager
      Jun 1999 - Dec 2001 · 2 yrs 7 mosJun 1999 to Dec 2001 · 2 yrs 7 mos
       

      • Note: aQuantive was a public company (AQNT) and was purchased by Microsoft for $8B in 2007, it's largest acquisition at that time, and prior to that Microsoft was the largest client of aQuantive. The company was founded as Avenue A, Inc. and later changed its name.

        I developed and managed innovative online advertising products for aQuantive, a publicly traded pioneer and leader in online marketing technologies and services and the largest buyer of Internet media. Developed, launched, and managed the most profitable product at the time that allowed 60 of the company's clients to purchase SEO and SEM advertising. Managed a team of account managers and media buyers. Led product development on XML ads, retargeting ads, java ads, and presented new product ideas to the CEO and leadership team.Note: aQuantive was a public company (AQNT) and was purchased by Microsoft for $8B in 2007, it's largest acquisition at that time, and prior to that Microsoft was the largest client of aQuantive. The company was founded as Avenue A, Inc. and later changed its name. I developed and managed innovative online advertising products for aQuantive, a publicly traded pioneer and leader in online marketing technologies and services and the largest buyer of Internet media. Developed, launched, and managed the most profitable product at the time that allowed 60 of the company's clients to purchase SEO and SEM advertising. Managed a team of account managers and media buyers. Led product development on XML ads, retargeting ads, java ads, and presented new product ideas to the CEO and leadership team.

      • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development

    • Business Development ManagerBusiness Development Manager
      May 1999 - Dec 2000 · 1 yr 8 mosMay 1999 to Dec 2000 · 1 yr 8 mos
       

      • Negotiated and closed over a dozen agreements leading to an ecosystem of ad creative production partnerships and search engine advertising partnerships.

        Thank you to all my aQuantive mentors:
        Eric Bozziny, Mike Galgon, Karl Siebrecht, Tyson Robert, Jerret West, Rob Wolf, Brady Brewer, Nick Hanauer, Rick Grimes, Teri Franklin, Brian McAndrews, Anna Collins, Maziar Sattari, Brent Turner, Aaron Stacy, Randy Wootton, Maggie Finch, Adrienne Voermans, Mike Kickline, Ray Kimbrough, Clark Kokich, Joe Mele, Khan Smith, Chris Berta, Melanie Bean, Scott Jones, Aaron Easterly, Ryan VanGorder, Young-Bean Song, Scott Lipsky, Carrie McClinton, Tiffanie Nielsen, John Nuebel, Paul Brownlow, Joe Redden, Merlyn Gordon, Pat Brannelly, Scott Fasser, Matt Wong, and so many others.Negotiated and closed over a dozen agreements leading to an ecosystem of ad creative production partnerships and search engine advertising partnerships. Thank you to all my aQuantive mentors: Eric Bozziny, Mike Galgon, Karl Siebrecht, Tyson Robert, Jerret West, Rob Wolf, Brady Brewer, Nick Hanauer, Rick Grimes, Teri Franklin, Brian McAndrews, Anna Collins, Maziar Sattari, Brent Turner, Aaron Stacy, Randy Wootton, Maggie Finch, Adrienne Voermans, Mike Kickline, Ray Kimbrough, Clark Kokich, Joe Mele, Khan Smith, Chris Berta, Melanie Bean, Scott Jones, Aaron Easterly, Ryan VanGorder, Young-Bean Song, Scott Lipsky, Carrie McClinton, Tiffanie Nielsen, John Nuebel, Paul Brownlow, Joe Redden, Merlyn Gordon, Pat Brannelly, Scott Fasser, Matt Wong, and so many others.

      • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • Brand ManagerBrand Manager
    Dell · Full-timeDell · Full-timeMay 1998 - Jun 1999 · 1 yr 2 mosMay 1998 to Jun 1999 · 1 yr 2 mosRound Rock, Texas, United StatesRound Rock, Texas, United States
     

    • Worked across functions to analyze and recommend solutions on a variety of business issues facing the Group Brand Manager of servers, storage, and network appliances including product pricing, product line positioning, Internet marketing, lead generation, and database marketing. Full time followed by a consulting project I completed during my second year as a MBA student. Dell was the hottest stock of 1990's and I believe very well managed and I really like Michael Dell as a person and leader.

      Thank you to all my Dell mentors and cohort members: Manuel Rosso, Scott McAllister, Michael Dell, Hunter Howard, Kevin Rollins, and so many others.Worked across functions to analyze and recommend solutions on a variety of business issues facing the Group Brand Manager of servers, storage, and network appliances including product pricing, product line positioning, Internet marketing, lead generation, and database marketing. Full time followed by a consulting project I completed during my second year as a MBA student. Dell was the hottest stock of 1990's and I believe very well managed and I really like Michael Dell as a person and leader. Thank you to all my Dell mentors and cohort members: Manuel Rosso, Scott McAllister, Michael Dell, Hunter Howard, Kevin Rollins, and so many others.

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development



  • Product ManagerProduct Manager
    Princess Cruises · Full-timePrincess Cruises · Full-timeMay 1990 - Sep 1997 · 7 yrs 5 mosMay 1990 to Sep 1997 · 7 yrs 5 mosSeattle, Washington, United StatesSeattle, Washington, United States
     

    • Managed all aspects of our guided Canadian Rockies tour program with $19,000,000 in annual revenue. The #1 largest tour and cruise company in Alaska. The #2 largest tour company in western Canada. Led planning and development of all marketing and operational projects. Negotiated with hotels and vendors. Hired and trained tour guides. Developed project management tools and timelines. Taught my superiors how to use personal computers, ethernet networks, and various new technologies. Led the compensation committee. Led outreach to travel agencies. Led outreach to travel conferences.

      I started with Princess Cruises as a tour guide to Western Canada and Alaska during summer breaks from University. I was the host, narrator, and chief promotor of fun & leisure on each tour of up to 45 vacationers. I also worked the summer prior to Princess as a bellman at Glacier Park Lodge in Montana. I would recommend to anyone to have your kids work in the hospitality industry when they are young. It helps build confidence and people skills and a desire to please customers. Those are the skills of success.

      Thank you to all my mentors and tour guide friends at Princess:
      Mike Gowen (RIP my friend), Chris Ryan, Mark Alfano, John Hawk, Howard Hawk, James Hawk, Scott Armstrong, Steve Davis, Bob Davis, Steve Anderson, Rick Montgomery, Eric Bozinny, Doug Clovechok, Guy Glaeser, Brad Moore, Claire Nolan, Mark Elgee, Charles Jones, Mark Dzerowycz, Rob Outcalt, Bill Butler, Steve Penny, Craig Holt, Jeff Porter, Heidi Wills, Deanna Pankey, Gena Pankey, Troy Larson, Allison Brown, David Crowe, and so so many othersManaged all aspects of our guided Canadian Rockies tour program with $19,000,000 in annual revenue. The #1 largest tour and cruise company in Alaska. The #2 largest tour company in western Canada. Led planning and development of all marketing and operational projects. Negotiated with hotels and vendors. Hired and trained tour guides. Developed project management tools and timelines. Taught my superiors how to use personal computers, ethernet networks, and various new technologies. Led the compensation committee. Led outreach to travel agencies. Led outreach to travel conferences. I started with Princess Cruises as a tour guide to Western Canada and Alaska during summer breaks from University. I was the host, narrator, and chief promotor of fun & leisure on each tour of up to 45 vacationers. I also worked the summer prior to Princess as a bellman at Glacier Park Lodge in Montana. I would recommend to anyone to have your kids work in the hospitality industry when they are young. It helps build confidence and people skills and a desire to please customers. Those are the skills of success. Thank you to all my mentors and tour guide friends at Princess: Mike Gowen (RIP my friend), Chris Ryan, Mark Alfano, John Hawk, Howard Hawk, James Hawk, Scott Armstrong, Steve Davis, Bob Davis, Steve Anderson, Rick Montgomery, Eric Bozinny, Doug Clovechok, Guy Glaeser, Brad Moore, Claire Nolan, Mark Elgee, Charles Jones, Mark Dzerowycz, Rob Outcalt, Bill Butler, Steve Penny, Craig Holt, Jeff Porter, Heidi Wills, Deanna Pankey, Gena Pankey, Troy Larson, Allison Brown, David Crowe, and so so many others

    • Skills: Product DevelopmentSkills: Product Development

  • Various Work and ExperiencesVarious Work and Experiences
    VariousVariousJan 1982 - Jan 1993 · 11 yrs 1 moJan 1982 to Jan 1993 · 11 yrs 1 moVariousVarious

    • These are various positions and early ventures that taught me grit, hard work, patience, persistence, capitalism, the value of love and friendship, and how to enjoy work and get along well with others. Thank you so much to my family and all my early mentors and friends:

      1). Picking various berries and fruits in the summertime in Skagit Valley, WA
      2). Bellingham Herald newspaper boy
      3). Mowing neighbors lawns
      4). Boy Scout fundraising
      5). Junior Achievement corporation formation and sales and marketing efforts (Christmas trees, a home decor product)
      6). Fundraising for my high school and their various sport teams (soccer, baseball, track, tennis)
      7). Fundraising for our church
      8). Started a car wash for a summer
      9). Selling Guatemalan woven friendship bracelets on the street's of Seattle and at festivals while in college. $.05 unit cost, $1.00 sale, 2,000% margin. I also did 3 for $2, for a slightly lower margin… but made it up in volume! :) ). Bought my first car with the money. Thanks importer John H. (a true entrepreneur!)
      10). Refueling Cessna airplanes at a Boeing Field flight school (while in flight school)
      11). Fundraising for our fraternity at UW (I was a social chairman, too)
      12). Promoting our fraternity brother’s election campaign for President of the UW student body (he won. He is now AG for WA... and a rockstar)
      13). Working several years at Nordstrom in the men’s sport section during the holiday rush
      14). Research and Investing in publicly traded stocks while in high school at age 17 as part of our business class and continuing such investing thru today (now I mostly invest in broadly indexed ETF funds, but I still pick a few individual stocks once in a while)
      15). Working as a bellman for a summer at a hotel in Glacier National Park right after high school
      16). Tour guide with Alki Tours
      17). Worked in the factory of Bellingham Frozen Foods
      18). etc.These are various positions and early ventures that taught me grit, hard work, patience, persistence, capitalism, the value of love and friendship, and how to enjoy work and get along well with others. Thank you so much to my family and all my early mentors and friends: 1). Picking various berries and fruits in the summertime in Skagit Valley, WA 2). Bellingham Herald newspaper boy 3). Mowing neighbors lawns 4). Boy Scout fundraising 5). Junior Achievement corporation formation and sales and marketing efforts (Christmas trees, a home decor product) 6). Fundraising for my high school and their various sport teams (soccer, baseball, track, tennis) 7). Fundraising for our church 8). Started a car wash for a summer 9). Selling Guatemalan woven friendship bracelets on the street's of Seattle and at festivals while in college. $.05 unit cost, $1.00 sale, 2,000% margin. I also did 3 for $2, for a slightly lower margin… but made it up in volume! :) ). Bought my first car with the money. Thanks importer John H. (a true entrepreneur!) 10). Refueling Cessna airplanes at a Boeing Field flight school (while in flight school) 11). Fundraising for our fraternity at UW (I was a social chairman, too) 12). Promoting our fraternity brother’s election campaign for President of the UW student body (he won. He is now AG for WA... and a rockstar) 13). Working several years at Nordstrom in the men’s sport section during the holiday rush 14). Research and Investing in publicly traded stocks while in high school at age 17 as part of our business class and continuing such investing thru today (now I mostly invest in broadly indexed ETF funds, but I still pick a few individual stocks once in a while) 15). Working as a bellman for a summer at a hotel in Glacier National Park right after high school 16). Tour guide with Alki Tours 17). Worked in the factory of Bellingham Frozen Foods 18). etc.

    • Skills: Perseverant · Interpersonal Skills · Entrepreneurship · Love Of Learning · Grit


 

 

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Description of Dawn Travel:

  • Dawn Travel, led by CEO Cliff Hawk, is a cutting-edge online travel agency specializing in luxury and adventure travel. With a focus on personalized experiences, Dawn Travel offers curated itineraries for cruises, safaris, and tours tailored to discerning travelers. Leveraging advanced AI tools, the company simplifies travel planning with innovative solutions like TravelCraft, an app designed to build seamless, complex itineraries. Recently expanding its cruise programs, Dawn Travel caters to affluent clientele seeking bespoke journeys. Under Cliff Hawk's visionary leadership, the agency combines modern technology with exceptional customer service to redefine travel, ensuring every trip is an unforgettable experience.

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