Chris G. Kraras
Chairman of the Board Since 1970Over Fifty years ago, Chris and his beloved and late father, Gus, proudly founded White Star Tours. Most of the early trips were created by Chris in his attempt to offer quality group travel packages to a myriad of destinations at reasonable rates. Through the years, with the help of many family members and a dedicated staff under Chris’s tutelage, White Star Tours has reached new heights as a nationally -recognized and highly respected organization.
Dean Kraras
President Since 1986Dean, Chris and Ann’s son, is actively involved in all key aspects of the White Star operations, including human resources, sales, marketing, and finance. He assumed a full-time role subsequent to his college graduation in 1995 and became company President in 2016. He has gained the respect of the entire company. Dean specializes in tours that include Cape Cod, Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, Montreal/Quebec, Ottawa, The Castles of New York, and The Nordic
Mauro Cammarano
Vice-Chairman of the Board Since 1973Mauro, the husband of Chris’s sister, Angel, has had a front-row seat to the company’s growth for most of the past five decades, when he had previously served as vice-president of the company. He has always been at Chris’ side as the company progressed, and has continued to work as a loyal confidant to Chris. He currently manages the sales personnel, is involved in the company’s advertising, and oversees many of the sea shore locations.
Patricia Kraras Donahue
Treasurer, CFO Since 1980Patricia (Pat), younger sister of Chris, has a vital role in the day to day operations of White Star Tours. With over 40 years of experience, Pat’s indefatigable duties include accounts receivables, such as payments from groups and trip insurances. She also offers her expertise and assistance with group leaders as they plan their trips, and develops a personal relationship with virtually every one of them. Pat is widely regarded for her compassion and dedication to the company.
Andrew Cammarano
Vice-President Since 1992Andrew, son of Mauro and Angel, joined White Star Tours full time in 2003 as a dedicated member of our sales team upon his college graduation. He replaced his father as Vice-president and works closely with Dean. Andrew deals daily with a multitude of bus companies for our groups. He also handles tours to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park, the Holland Tulip Festival, Cleveland, OH, Baltimore and Annapolis, “Ride the Rails” of West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Marisa Kraras Hunsicker
Tour Book Editor, Bookkeeping Assistant Since 1994Marisa, Chris and Ann’s daughter, has grown up through the years watching and learning the important workings of the family business. Recently, Marisa has stepped into the role of editor to the company’s annual Tour Book, a pictorial magazine featuring an abundance of popular travel options for potential traveling groups. She also assists with the company’s accounting department.
Angel Cammarano
Associate Since 1973Angel, wife of Mauro and sister to Chris, labored from her young teenage years in her family’s hospitality business, which paved an excellent road to her involvement with White Star Tours from its inception. Along with her husband, she worked with the family and witnessed a small company evolve into a large and successful group travel entity. Today, Angel provides in-house assistance to customers as a liaison to the sales force, and is an avid supporter to the family and staff.
Ann Kraras
Associate Since 1970Married to Chris for almost 55 years, Ann has been with White Star Tours from its meager beginnings, when its very first office was in the spare bedroom of their home. The company name was created from the family-owned White Star Motel in Wildwood, NJ, managed by Ann at the time. Ann continues to be Chris’s biggest supporter, and offers her assistance as needed, especially during the large Redner’s Food Market trips held annually for hundreds of clients to various Caribbean destinations.
Bernie Donahue
Travel and Tech Specialist Since 1992Bernie, husband of Patricia, specializes in group travel to the Caribbean. For more than 25 years, Bernie has arranged flight travel for many groups, such as the Redner’s Food Market trip, to popular destinations that offer beautiful land packages and cruises. He also used his very special and creative talent to help keep the company’s website first rate.
Dominic (Nick) Mascheri
Tour Consultant, Manager Since 1982Nick was one of the first full-time employees of White Star Tours. He is our complete group travel package expert. Nick was instrumental in creating the very popular Azalea International Tattoo Festival package into Norfolk, VA. He also handles all the Florida locations, Virginia Beach, Outer Banks, Savannah, Philadelphia, the Amish Country of Ohio, and many other destinations. His innovative ideas for group tours have been a welcoming asset to our company.
Despina (Des) Yianoulis
Tour Consultant, Manager Since 1983Des, a seasoned White Star Tours consultant, has a wonderful track record for assisting her travel customers toward their own special tour adventures. As one of the company’s first full-time employees, she had started out specializing in group trips to Ocean City, MD, but now has expanded her expertise to Nashville, Pigeon Forge, The Smoky Mountains, Memphis, New York City, Williamsburg, Asheville, the Biltmore, and Texas.
Mike White
Tour Consultant, Manager Since 1984With more than three decades of travel experience, Mike is a wonderful resource for planning a travel adventure. Previously, during his college years, he had first begun with White Star by welcoming groups to the Wildwood, NJ White Star Jamboree weeks. Today, he plans trips to favorite destinations such as Myrtle Beach, Branson, and the new Ark Encounter in Kentucky. In addition, Mike’s knowledge of the cruise industry has generated thousands of fabulous cruises for our White Star customers.
Chris Himmelberger
Tour Consultant, Manager Since 2017Chris helps group leaders find the perfect trip for their group. He focuses on trips to Michigan’s Mackinac Island area, the Upper Peninsula and Frankenmuth, as well as Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Chris also organizes day trips to the “Big Apple,” NYC.
Lynne Hammerschmidt
IT Distributions Specialist Since 2019As our IT distribution specialist, Lynne uses her creative marketing and design skills to create White Star’s E-blasts, of specials or popular tours for the season. Lynne brings with her over 40 years of corporate experience and is a great asset to White Star!
