CORNICHE HISTORY

CORNICHE Travel was born in 1987 as a boutique, dedicated travel management company. Within a short time, due to it’s exceptional service and standards, it grew beyond “boutique” yet maintained it’s service standards complimented by the industry’s most demanding technology. With controlled growth CORNICHE Group, Inc., was created to house CORNICHE Travel, and its sister companies, Anastasia’s Africa (2004), a private customized African safari company, and CORNICHE Entertainment (2006), a music management, production and promotion firm serving artists, venues and corporate events worldwide.
CORNICHE Travel is in its 28th year of business and we are proud of our 97% customer retention rate. Our reliability and performance history have validated CORNICHE’s position as a well recognized leader in the industry. We have been acknowledged as one of the most ethical premier travel management companies in the world. We hold ourselves accountable to your company’s goals and objectives as they match our own. You can count on our personal service and dedicated travel account management.
CORNICHE Travel provides all of its clients comprehensive solutions and superior performance for all of their travel management requirements. The dynamics in today’s business world move at lightning speed, therefore your travel management partner must adapt instantly and efficiently. We are confident of our ability to do what needs to be done no matter how challenging or complicated any given situation may be. We will substantially reduce the time you and your associates spend on making travel plans, ensuring you are receiving the best pricing possible for your itinerary. All corporate travel policy mandates will be respected. Whenever necessary we will advise and assist you in creating travel policies geared toward your goals. Any exceptional situations will be coordinated as to policy. CORNICHE is your travel advocate, an extension of your company. We employ a team of experienced and caring travel account managers who are deeply vested in our principles and ethics as well as yours. We have humanity, compassion, empathy, and take a consultative approach with every traveler served, for every transaction.
Traveler profiles covering preferences for air, hotel, ground and class of service and any other personal preferences will be in the CORNICHE database 24/7. We notify you of flight delays, regardless of cause and will have options ready for you to consider. We have around the clock after-hours service as well as having senior CORNICHE personnel available if and when necessary.
CORNICHE has helped many local, regional, national, and international businesses design and enforce corporate travel policy while managing all travel related expenses always resulting in substantial cost savings. We search over 400 airlines (including Southwest!) 1000’s of hotels and ground services worldwide for business and leisure travel. CORNICHE is ready to start working on your behalf today.

CORNICHE GROUP

Anastasia Mann
Anastasia MannFounder | Chairman / CEO
Anastasia K. Mann founded CORNICHE Travel in 1987, a company that today grosses more than $30 million annually. Now the CORNICHE Group, Inc., the company celebrated its 30th year anniversary in 2017, with a gala ceremonial ribbon cutting and reception at their corporate offices on Sunset Strip in the heart of West Hollywood with the mayor and many city notables in attendance. CORNICHE currently has three locations: West Hollywood, Anaheim and Malibu, California.

After graduating summa cum laude from USC, Anastasia was handpicked by Hilton Hotels Corporation to join their sales team as their first female sales executive. Later, she left Hilton to become the Southern California Sales Manager for the new Stanford Court Hotel in San Francisco; thereafter becoming the first female Director of Sales & Marketing for the prestigious Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills for ten years. Anastasia moved from hotel marketing to become the first U.S. President of Operations for British-based Mark Allan Travel, which became the entertainment division of American Express.

Today CORNICHE Travel is one of the only independent Travel Management companies servicing high profile, domestic and international clients globally in both the corporate and entertainment markets while also providing full leisure travel services as well.

In December 2004, Anastasia successfully launched a new division called Anastasia’s Africa, with an emphasis on customizing guests’ experiences with more personal, award-winning and environmentally harmonious safari camps and lodges throughout Eastern and Southern Africa.

Anastasia’s first job upon graduating from USC took her to Mexico City where she taught English and immersed herself in the culture and music of the region. Following this life long passion for Latin culture and the performing arts, in 2007 she launched CORNICHE Entertainment, which books over 90 music events a year as well as produces concerts in top Los Angeles venues and promotes the careers of a multitude of talented musicians. Anastasia produced four La Vida Music Festivals at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. The popular festivals presented an evening of 30 to 40 artists, all with a Latin influence in music and dance. Louie Cruz Beltran, Poncho Sanchez, Hubert Laws, Pete Escovedo and the Mariachi Divas were among the featured performers, as well as Tango artists Sandor and Parissa, and Flamenco artist Roberto Amaral. Anastasia sat on the Hollywood Arts Council that produced “Jazz Pilgrimage” at the Ford Amphitheatre, a salute to Pete Escovedo that also featured Louie Cruz Beltran. Anastasia then produced “Live at the Ford,” a CD that captured Louie’s performance that night at the historic venue and features six Spanish language songs, five of them Louie Cruz Beltran originals. Anastasia and CORNICHE Entertainment have curated the popular Music on the Main series at Descanso Gardens in La Canada for 12 years. Latin music standouts Oscar Hernandez, Dayren Santamaria, Jimmy Branley and many others are among the over 120 bands CORNICHE has presented at this beautiful outdoor summer concert series, which draws upwards of 1,000 people on consecutive Thursday nights under the oak trees on the main lawn. Anastasia has booked Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Ensemble into the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, and in Washington, DC on the National Mall through the Smithsonian Institution to represent Latin Jazz in celebration of Jazz History Month, followed by a sold out show at historic Blues Alley in Georgetown. Anastasia and CORNICHE Entertainment presented Hubert Laws in the prestigious LA Made series in the Mark Taper Auditorium at the Grand Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles. Anastasia produced Louie’s chart topping CD release “Paint The Rhythm,” which peaked at #11 on the Media Base Smooth Jazz Charts. The single “Esperando” reached #4. She has produced Louie Cruz Beltran’s singles of the classic Spanish language romantic song “Sabor A Mi” as well as a cumbia version of Louie’s hit single, “La Migra.” She is currently in production on a new recording for Louie Cruz Beltran.

Anastasia has done over 600 interviews on TV, radio and for the print media. Her personal knowledge and experience make her a highly respected and sought-after speaker in the US and internationally on the status of the travel industry.

As a founding member of the California Travel & Tourism Commission, she served two terms as the sole representative for all travel management agencies in the state. During both her terms she sat on the Executive Committee. She is the first recipient of the Anastasia K. Mann Leadership Award presented annually to notable individuals in tourism and the arts by the Travel & Tourism Marketing Association. Her additional contributions to the travel and tourism industry include 10 years on the international board of directors of the Travel & Tourism Research Association (serving as President and Chair as well); past-president of Southern California chapter of HSMAI; founding member of MPI; board member of PATA Los Angeles; member of International PATA’s first Marketing Committee; founding chairman of the West Hollywood Visitors and Convention Bureau (now Visit West Hollywood); long-standing member currently of the West Hollywood Chamber, and long-standing Board member of Hollywood Chamber and member of California Chamber of Commerce; California representative to the White House Conference on Tourism (Clinton Administration); sole tourism representative on the Trade Mission to Soviet Union (GHW Bush administration); Hollywood Arts Council governor for 30 years; past President of SKAL International – Los Angeles, and served on the board and executive committee of the Society of Singers from 2010 to 2012. Anastasia is currently serving her first term on the Community Advisory Board for Wells Fargo Bank.

Anastasia is also a member of Travel Industry of America (TIA) and served several terms on the Council for the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington, DC.

Anastasia is active in her local community government affairs. As President of the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council for the last 16 years, Anastasia reaches out to her community and listens to the concerns of its members. The Council represents over 60,000 homes and

businesses including the Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios and the Hollywood-Highland/Dolby Theatre complex.

She has frequent interaction with the LA City Council and LA County Board of Supervisors on behalf of her stakeholders and produces numerous community events. She is serving her fourth three-year term as a Hearing Examiner for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Board of Rights. Twice, she has been the keynote speaker at the International Conference on Peace through Tourism including Geneva, Switzerland and again at the IIPT Africa conference in Lusaka, Zambia. She has been a member of their Board for over 20 years.

Philanthropically, she and her company have given generously to the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles and benefited both the Program for Torture Victims and One Legacy Foundation (DONATE ONE), Disabled American Veterans, among others. Anastasia was recognized with Commendations by the City Council and Mayor the City of Los Angeles, the Governor of the State Of California and the US Senate for philanthropy and professionalism in the workplace.

She was also the Entrepreneur of the Year for the State of California Tourism Industry, selected as Woman of Distinction from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and received the Woman of Achievement Award from the Century City Chamber of Commerce. In 2016 she was honored by the Hollywood Chamber as a Hero of Hollywood, and in 2017 Anastasia received the prestigious Diamond Award from SoCal ASTA at an awards gala at the beautiful Beverly Hills Hotel. In 2018, Anastasia was honored by Congressman Adam Schiff as a “Woman of the Year” for her inspiring contributions in the 28th Congressional District and was so recognized by the US House of Representatives.

Anastasia has great pride in her company, now in its 32nd year where many of her staff have served since inception and most have given at least 15 years of service to our respected and valued clients, most of whom have been with CORNICHE for at least 25 years.

Chris Johnson
Chris JohnsonVice President - Operations
Chris Johnson joined CORNICHE Travel in June of 2007 and transitioned to Operations Manager in May of 2008, and in January of 2016, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations. His role as VP of Operations includes managing day-to-day operations, client and vendor relations, coordination with accounting, supervising reporting and employee scheduling while focusing on systems and procedures for the company.

Chris has been in the travel industry over 17 years. His travel career began in Dallas, TX while at CUC International, a membership-based travel services company. After relocating to Los Angeles he worked for Countrywide Financial Corporation as Manager of Travel Support overseeing their Business Travel Account, Corporate Card, Purchasing Card and Corporate Housing programs. He played an integral part in selecting preferred vendors and in their RFP process.

Chris represents CORNICHE as a board of directors member of Executive Women International (EWI), a professional organization representing women and men, bringing together key individuals from diverse businesses to promote member firms and enhance community involvement.

After having been recognized for providing world-class service to both customers and business partners, Chris strives to provide a positive and compassionate work environment.

Shirley Worsham
Shirley WorshamVice President - Operations
Shirley has over 40 years in the Travel Industry. She began her illustrious career as a front line agent and moved into the management arena managing a multi office chain of agencies located in Long Beach and Orange County. She purchased the Anaheim Office and maintained ownership for 15 years prior to merging it with the CORNICHE GROUP. She opted to stay with CORNICHE in the management position for Orange County.

She earned her Certified Travel Counselor degree in 1980 along with her numerous other travel related certifications. Shirley has always maintained the importance of education and the role it plays in staying relevant and current in an ever changing travel environment. She was a professor at Long Beach City College in the Travel and Tourism Division-teaching varied subjects including Operation and Risk Management, Marketing, Geography, Cruise Selling and Corporate Travel Management.

Shirley has served on many travel related board, Sabre, The Orange County Forum for the Institute of Travel Agents, along with others.

Shirley has also spearheaded the Travel Program for California and Mass Teachers Associations. She handles personal travel for several CEO’s of Major Corporations as well as many Celebrities and their families. She continues to work with all clients, matching the best possible trips to meet their expectations and budgets.

Shirley’s travel includes Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos, Belize, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, some by cruise ship and on land based arrangements.

Donna Lindsay
Donna LindsayVice President - International Groups and Incentives
For over thirty-five years, Donna Lindsay has been involved in the travel and tourism industry. Her career began in the airline sector where she held various positions with Continental and Western Airlines and TWA in Denver, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
She was responsible for all facets of sales, marketing and group operations in the corporate and travel agency community.

Following 10 years with the airlines, she transitioned to the hotel side of the industry. As Sales Manager at the JW Marriott Hotel Century City, she was responsible for the entertainment community, movie filming, local travel agencies and the White House. She hosted President’s Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Vice President Quayle, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Royal Family of Qatar and the Neil Diamond tour to name a few.

After many successful years at the hotel, she transitioned to yet another sector of the tourism industry, and accepted a job with Hoffman Travel as Manager of Group Operations. In this position, she coordinated group logistics and travel for Motorola Corporation and their new product roll – outs and sales meetings, the America’s Cup, and Polygram, A&M Music new artist listening weekends. In 1993, she made her final move and joined the CORNICHE family as Vice President, Sales and Marketing where she teamed up with her former client and friend, Anastasia Kostoff – Mann.

Ms. Lindsay now resides on the east coast and continues to exclusively handle all group planning and operations for Pepperdine University’s Board of Regents and Associate programs as she has since 1994.