Our 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.

Jody is a digital publisher, podcaster, and book author known internationally for her Ireland expertise. She publishes the website Ireland Family Vacations and is host of the traveling in Ireland podcast. Jody also publishes Family Rambling and produces occasional freelance work for travel industry partners like Trivago, Travel Iowa, and Holiday Inn.
Though born, bred, and based in Iowa, you'll often find Jody working 'from the road', either from Ireland or while road tripping across the US in her RV.

My affiliation with the Midwest Travel Journalists Association began in 2008, and I’ve served on the Membership Renewal Review Committee. As a veteran freelancer who not only has written guide and travel books but also contributed to numerous print and online outlets, I consider MTJA an invaluable resource for producing my favorite kind of story – the kind that sells.

I'm a Minneapolis area writer and photographer covering travel, food, and science. My work has been featured in USA TODAY, Delta Sky, Garden & Gun, Better Homes and Gardens, Scientific American, and many others. I've also written two books and publish a blog offthebeatenpagetravel.com More about me at terripetersonsmith.com.

Josh has served as the Senior Manager of Content & Communications for Visit Hendricks County in Central Indiana since August 2011. He oversees the Hendricks County Insider tourism blog as well as handling other public relations functions for Visit Hendricks County and its partners to share all the wonderful activities, attractions and events the county has to offer. Josh joined MTJA as an associate member in October of 2021.

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.