Leadership

My name is Todd Wessell. I’m editor and travel editor of the Journal & Topics Media Group, Des Plaines, IL. I’ve been a member of MTJA and SATW since 2001 and I’ve been involved in editing and publishing newspapers and magazines most of my life. Over the years I have covered and edited thousands of stories ranging from world travel to crime, feature stories, politics, etc. Coverage included much photography. I am a graduate of Illinois State University where I majored in political science. I’ve been married to my wife Carolyn for 46 years and I’m the father of four children and three grandchildren.

Wendy is a freelance photographer and writer, living in Columbus, Ohio. She has been a member of MTJA since 2010, previously holding the offices of Treasurer and Active Director. She also served as editor of the association's newsletter.
Wendy's travel articles and photos have been published in a variety of newspapers and magazines including the Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch, Dallas Morning News and Midwest Living. She also has produced Columbus Family Adventures, a blog focused on family-friendly activities, for the past decade.

Rob Gard is the Director of PR & Communications for Destination Madison, the organization that promotes Madison, WI as a premier destination for visitors, meetings, and events. He focuses on media relations, building organization and industry awareness, community engagement, public affairs, and crisis management.

As a former travel and lifestyle writer, Rob seeks out and shares the unique, eclectic, experiential, and transformational stories of Madison's diverse people and places to excite and entice travel writers and visitors. He was honored for his communications efforts with the 2021 Public Relations Society of America “WisCOMsin” Award for “Communicator of the Year.”

Rob has spent more than 25 years in public relations and journalism. Prior to his move to Madison, Rob served as the director of communications and marketing for CicLAvia, the largest Open Streets event and festival in the U.S., winning the Public Relations Society of America – Los Angeles “Outstanding Achievement in Publicity.” In 2021, Rob was awarded the Board of Directors Cup by the Society of American Travel Writers for his service and leadership, particularly in the DEAI space. Rob is a graduate of Colorado College and serves as president for PRSA-Madison.

Jenn Gjerde is the current marketing manager for the Nebraska Tourism Commission. A former TV news reporter, Gjerde worked all across the state of Nebraska covering record flooding, elections and more before being hired by the commission in 2015. Gjerde, her husband and their two kids, Rhett (3) and Ruby (1) reside in Lincoln with their pug, Miley.

Randy Mink, senior editor of Leisure Group Travel Magazine and other travel trade magazines published by Premier Travel Media of Willowbrook, Illinois, has been part of the company’s editorial team since 2008. A professional travel writer for more than 50 years, he has written for travel guidebooks, newspaper travel sections and national magazines. Since 2022, he has been a regular contributor to Canadian World Traveler Magazine. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Randy is a native of Elgin, Illinois, and has lived in the Chicago area all his life.

Gabby Blauert has been the Communications Manager at Hamilton County Tourism since September 2022. She’s passionate about helping people tell their stories through a variety of mediums – from national news publications to local television and everything in between. When she isn’t capturing content or meeting with local business owners, you can find Gabby at a coffee shop or going on adventures with her family. Gabby joined MTJA as an associate member in 2023.

An Indianapolis-based freelance writer who specializes in Midwestern travel content, Amy Lynch is currently serving her second term as Active Vice President. She writes for a number of publications and digital outlets include Midwest Living, Indianapolis Monthly, Lonely Planet and Trip Savvy. In her free time, Amy enjoys cooking, reading and going on adventures with her 11-year-old son.