Our Travel Specialists
Heinke McDade
Where is she from? Heinke was born on a farm in Poppenbull, Germany about two hours north of Hamburg.
About me: Heinke graduated from hotel management school in Heidelburg. She then left for Montreal to work at the World's Fair (Expo '67). Heinke met her husband, Neil, in Paris in 1968. In the following 10 years, they had two children, Ian and David, and lived in several countries before settling in Roanoke, Virginia in 1978. In 1985 Heinke started her labor of love, McDade Travel. She speaks several languages including German, French and English.
Where she lived: She called Montreal, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels, New York, London, Kuwait and, of course Roanoke, home from 1968 - 1978.
Favorite Travel Memory: A tie between Heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies with Tauck Tours and biking with Butterfield Robinson in Burgundy, France. Next Vacation Heinke would like to safari in Kruger National Park of South Africa and stay at the lodges of Singita and Royal Malewane.
Neil McDade
Where is he from? Neil was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1934.
About me: Neil emigrated to New Jersey at the age of 13. He was an All-American soccer player at Roanoke College. After graduating, Neil worked in a succession of computer-related jobs for mutli-national companies in several locations around the world including Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. Neil returned to Roanoke in 1978 with his wife, Heinke, and his two sons, Ian and David.
Where he has lived: Tokyo, Caracas, Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, New York, London, Kuwait and of course Roanoke.
Favorite Travel Memory: SCOTLAND, SCOTLAND, SCOTLAND.
Expertise: Golf trips Next Vacation Neil would like to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Diana Austin
Where is she from? Yuma, Arizona
About me: Diana has worked in the leisure and corporate travel business for thirty years. She has been a member of the McDade Travel team for the last 12 years. Diana takes great pride in helping clients fulfill their travel dreams. Diana has traveled throughout the United States as well as Europe, Central America and South America.
Languages: Spanish, French, and some Italian and Russian
Where has she lived? Arizona, Missouri, Connecticut, Belgium, Peru, and Venezuela
Favorite Travel Memory: Sipping wine on the Piazza Argentine in Rome Next Vacation Hong Kong.
Michael D'Angelo
Where is he from? Michael is from Kenmore, New York, a small village between Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
About me: Michael was born and raised outside Buffalo, New York. Having graduated SUNY Buffalo in 1981with a degree in History, Michael joined the National Park Service and worked as a Park Ranger out west. Accepting a transfer to the Blue Ridge Parkway, he arrived in the Roanoke area where he bought a home in Salem. Since 1991, Michael has worked for McDade Travel, the National Park Service and as a Tour Director for both adventure and luxury tour companies.
Languages: English, Spanish, Russian and some Navajo.
Where has he lived? Michael has lived in Western New York, Los Angeles, southwest Colorado, the high desert of California, the Grand Canyon, Santa Fe and Carlsbad New Mexico, and Salem VA.
Favorite Travel Memory: There are many favorites, including riding horseback in the Andes of Ecuador, standing on the Great Wall of China, river kayaking in the jungles of Costa Rica, and as the only Westerner at a Funeral Cremation Rite in Bali. Next Vacation: Michael is currently planning a 5 day hike on the original Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Judy Tenzer
Where is she from? Trenton, New Jersey About me Judy graduated from Boston University with a degree in journalism. She then worked for a National magazine in New York City. Judy has worked in the travel business for 25 years and has visited 67 countries.
Languages: English and basic Italian
Where has she lived? Boston, New York City, Burlington, Vermont, Syracuse, New York and Roanoke.
Favorite Travel Memory: Judy's most recent favorite travel memory was living and studying language and Renaissance Art in Florence, Italy. Prior to that trip she found visiting China, India, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam on multiple occasions during their developmental stages fascinating.
Next Vacation: Judy would like to revisit some of her favorite cities in Western Europe and travel more extensively in Eastern Europe.
Sharon West
Where is she/he from? Born and raised in Roanoke.
About me: Sharon has worked in the travel industry for the last 10 years and loves what she is doing. She enjoys working closely with clients on their dream vacations.
Favorite Travel Memory: My favorite travel memory was my recent trip to the British Isles where I escorted 37 passengers from Roanoke. I enjoyed the relationships built over 16 days. Everyone had a great time and we still keep in touch and look forward to the next trip.
Next Vacation: I would like to take a Mediterranean Cruise, visiting Rome and Florence before sailing out of Civitavecchia in the Western Mediterranean.
