Heritage Expeditions Staff

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Rodney Russ - Heritage Expeditions ownerRodney Russ: Rodney Russ - Heritage Expeditions owner Rodney Russ
Rodney is the founder of Heritage Expeditions. He worked for 12 years as a biologist for New Zealand Wildlife Service on the management of rare and endangered bird species. It was during this work that he came to appreciate the importance of advocacy as a conservation tool. As they say the rest is history - he chartered his own vessel, a Polar Research vessel from the Russian Far East, and advertised expeditions to the Subantarctic Islands and Antarctica. His company has continued to grow and is now a leader in worldwide expedition travel. Rodney can still be regularly found doing what he likes doing best, leading expeditions on the 'Spirit of Enderby'.
Gill Scott-Douglas - Senior Programme ManagerGill Scott-Douglas: Gill Scott-Douglas - Senior Programme Manager

Gill Scott-Douglas
Gill joins us with 8 years project management experience from the UK. She has always had a passion for travel, shown by her worldwide travel experiences. More recently she made her way to New Zealand via South America including the Galapagos Islands - a highlight for her. She has also travelled throughout New Zealand, experiencing first hand what makes our Nature Self Drives so special.
Cassia Jackson - Programme ManagerCassia Jackson: Cassia Jackson - Programme Manager

 

Cassia Jackson
Cassia has been working in the travel industry since graduating from Canterbury University. Her travel experiences includes destinations such as Mexico, Cuba, Europe, and the United States. A recent highlight was two months in South East Asia, climbing Mt Kinabalu, exploring the jungle in Sabah, and getting up close and personal with Elephants and Orangutans.

 
Warren Scott-Douglas - Design and MarketingWarren Scott-Douglas: Warren Scott-Douglas - Design and Marketing

Warren Scott-Douglas
After university Warren lived and travelled through Australia and Canada, among other countries before returning to the UK to restudy and gain design experience in the outdoor leisure industry. This experience, and his own travel and pursuits interests, have combined to bring new approaches to design and marketing solutions for the Heritage Expeditions.
Irina BabichIrina Babich: Irina Babich

Irina Babich
Irina is originally from Khabarovsk in Russia, moving to New Zealand to study (‘Bachelor of Business Innovation & Enterprise’ specialising in Tourism and a ‘Diploma in Tourism Business Management’ at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology) and worked part-time through her studies at Heritage Travel Services helping with office administration and Russian translations. She now works front of house and is involved with inbound product development.
Anne Tyree - Rodney Russ's personnel assistantAnne Tyree: Anne Tyree - Rodney Russ's personnel assistant

Anne Tyree
Anne has a wide variety of skills and interests.  Her training and work experience is mainly secretarial but she has also been a chef, an industrial knitting machine operator, a business administration tutor and a contract worker for the Department of Conservation, being involved in the 2001 Rat Eradication expedition to Campbell Island.  Any opportunity to be in the outdoors is embraced with enthusiasm and she enjoys photography, camping, tramping, mountain biking and kayaking.
Pete Tyree - Technical OfficerPete Tyree: Pete Tyree - Technical Officer Pete Tyree
Pete started work in the outdoors as a Jet-boat Driver for the Hydrological Survey Team, Water & Soil Department with the Ministry of Works.  This was followed by 18 years as Field/Engineering Technician in the Geography Department, University of Canterbury.  He then took up a position with the Department of Conservation, Southland as Ranger – Logistics, managing the quarantine facility for the Subantarctic Islands, supporting the National Kakapo Team and was Boat Manager for DoC Southland’s Safe Ship Management System.  He was also involved in the 2001 rat eradication expedition to Campbell Island.  He spent a couple of years with Lincoln University as an Engineer with Lincoln Ventures before he joined Heritage Expeditions as Technical Officer.  Pete is an enthusiastic photographer, kayaker, 4 Wheel Driver with a passion for the outdoors.
Aaron RussAaron Russ: Aaron Russ Aaron Russ
The eldest son of Rodney and Shirley he literally grew up in the Southern Ocean, surrounded by wildlife and wilderness. Aaron studied zoology and geology at Canterbury University, New Zealand, graduating with an Honours degree. He began expedition leading for Heritage Expeditions but has subsequently led expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, the High Arctic and Galapagos Islands.
Nathan Russ - Operations ManagerNathan Russ: Nathan Russ - Operations Manager Nathan Russ
Nathan is the youngest son of Rodney and Shirley. From a young age Nathan had the ambition to be a chef, he graduated with London City and Guilds. He combines this love of food with his love of adventure. He not only chefs aboard the ship but has been Expedition Leader, lecturer and zodiac driver. He is also chief Hovercraft Pilot. Recently he spent an Arctic season as chef on an expedition ship.