Meet Our Team
Office Staff
Angie Bordagaray
“Before founding Good Times Travel, Angelae (Angie) Bordagaray spent years as a registered nurse, specializing in public health and hospice care. It was in her role as a hospice nurse specifically that she discovered a deep passion for older adults. While caring for those near the end of their lives, Angie loved listening to their stories – stories often filled with vivid travel memories, but also with a common regret: that they hadn't seen more of the world while they were young and healthier. And in leading grief support groups, she empathized deeply with the loved ones left behind, encouraging them to venture back into the world to explore and embrace a life of fullness and purpose, even amidst their loss.
Inspired by these conversations and a deep-rooted passion for travel, Angie began balancing her nursing career and motherhood with a part-time role at a Long Beach travel agency in the late 1980s. As the Travel Coordinator for their "Good Times Travel Club," she organized half-day outings to Los Angeles and throughout Orange County. This role perfectly married her love for travel planning with her desire to serve the senior community.
By the early 1990s, the club had grown significantly through word-of-mouth. At age 44, Angie took a courageous leap of faith and retired from nursing to pursue her vision full-time, partnering with investors to purchase the club and its most valuable asset: a small index card box containing the names and addresses of several hundred members.
Incorporated in 1991, Good Times Travel Club opened its first office in Huntington Beach’s Old World Center. Under Angie’s determined leadership, the "club" evolved into a professional tour operator and joined the National Tour Association. As demand grew, outings expanded from half-day trips to full-day tours to San Diego and Santa Barbara, as well as multi-day adventures to Yosemite, Death Valley, and the Central Coast. Because Angie was on most of the tours as the tour director, additional staff was hired to manage the telephone reservations and all of the small details that go into running each tour – whether one day or seven.
By 1996, Good Times Travel Club moved to a larger office in Fountain Valley and officially became a family affair when Angie welcomed her two children, Heather and Dustin, into the business. In 2001, Angie rebranded the company as Good Times Travel, Inc. and expanding its reach to all seven continents by 2004.
Though we lost Angie to cancer in 2012, her spirit and vision remains the heartbeat of this company. She never saw her travelers as mere clients, but rather as friends she traveled with. Good Times Travel continues to honor her legacy and mission that no one looks back with regrets but rather enjoys a lifetime of travel experiences with their traveling ‘family” on the journeys they've shared with us. ”
Bridget Ambrose
“Hello! Bridget here coming to you all the way from Oregon! I joined the Good Times Travel team back in 2014 and found my love for working with people when I was a hairdresser and then got the itch for travel during my time working for JetBlue Airlines. I started working for Good Times Travel when I lived in Huntington Beach, then my husband and I made the bold decision to move our family to Oregon, we bought a house and are raising our son and daughter in beautiful Oregon. I’ve been able to get out on the road with our Good Times Travel friends on some of our amazing tours, and our Alaska Iditarod & Northern Lights tour has to be one of my favorites so far.”
Janae Chestnut
“Hi there! My name is Janae, and I’ve been with GTT for about six amazing years (give or take!). I began my journey in customer service and feel incredibly lucky to have grown into a role where I now help craft unforgettable destinations, connect with vendors, and scout exciting new locations for future tours. Travel has always been a passion of mine, so getting to be part of creating joyful, memorable travel experiences across the U.S. is a dream come true. I was raised in a small town in Northern California but have called Southern California home for the past 15 years. I share my life with my husband, our two energetic boys, and our beloved French Bulldog, Zoe. As a family, we love beach days and trips to amusement parks. Some of my favorite tours I’ve had the honor of joining include New York City, Nashville, and New Orleans—each one full of vibrant culture and unforgettable moments. I’m incredibly proud to be part of a company that brings the joy of travel to so many people!”
Madison Demaris
“Madison joined the Good Times Travel team in 2022 following her graduation from Chapman University and a year of teaching Human Geography in Colorado Springs. While Madison has many passions (theatre, sewing, live music, etc) they all culminate with a love of travel and a passion for cultivating lasting memories. Madison holds degrees in Theatre and Political Science and has worked in Marketing for years. When she is not editing photos or working on the Good Times website, she is acting, directing, or costuming for local shows. Her favorite tours include San Francisco, New York City, Mission Inn, and any live Theatre production.”
Jessica Duenas
“Jessica has been part of the Good Times Travel family for about three years. Originally from the beautiful island of Guam, she traded sandy beaches and island life for California adventures in 2021 and hasn’t stopped exploring since! Passionate about discovering near and far destinations, Jessica loves finding quirky facts and hidden gems along the way. When she’s not on a spontaneous adventure, you’ll find her tasting new foods, checking out cool local spots, or sneaking in another getaway—her suitcase is never really put away, and her friends know better than to ask her to travel light! Her favorite tour is the Cambria Christmas Tour, where twinkling lights, charming markets, and Cambria’s rich history make the holiday season magical.”
Heather Gormick
“Heather started with Good Times Travel when she was 17 years old and about 6 months after her mom, Angie, started the company in 1991. She remembers back at the start of the company when there was no automation (bookings were only taken by phone or walk-in, and payment receipts were all handwritten), and there were only about 5 tours offered per month and 300 people on the mailing list for the 4-page “Newsletter”. She has worked continuously for the company all these years and was even a Tour Director for several years after college graduation and before she had her first child. Her favorite tours include New England Fall Foliage and any tour that includes Cambria. Fun Fact: In 1998, a special gathering was held at the Good Times Travel office a few weeks after Heather got married as many of our clients wanted to see her in her wedding dress – they showered her with wonderful wedding advise and family heirloom recipes that she still treasures to this day.”
Caitlin Pham
“Caitlin is a Southern California native whose passion for travel was sparked by a memorable trip to Japan. She studied Floral Design at Golden West College, but her love for connecting with people led her to a rewarding decade-long career in customer service. Caitlin has proudly been part of the Good Times Travel team for two years. Her favorite tours include The Shambala Preserve and Death Valley. Outside of work, she enjoys nature walks with her husband and dog. A fun fact: she’s an animal lover with six pets.”
Bree Popov
“Bree Popov joined Good Times after spotting a Craigslist ad, never imagining that 15 years later she’d still be part of the incredible family behind the company. She began in customer service and sales, later learning the ropes with tour directing, and now designs and manages the single-day tours division. Bree has had the joy of raising two children who share her love for travel—especially motorcoach adventures and Broadway shows. Over the years, she’s explored fascinating destinations including San Diego, Julian, Monterey, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Washington, D.C., and Yellowstone, bringing that firsthand experience into the tours she creates for the community.”
Dustin Teichman
“Dustin got his start in the travel industry when he joined his mom (and Good Times Travel founder, Angie) onboard the “coach" beginning at 13 years old. He worked for Good Times while in high school and as soon as he was legal, he was onboard as a tour director himself! While he obtained a degree in biology at UCSD, the passion for travel in his blood brought him back to Good Times where he studied under the master! Besides a 4-year stint as the Director of Tourism for the City of Sacramento in 2005-2008, he has been at Good Times Travel going on 35 years! Strange because he’s only 34! His favorite tours include MCAS Mira Mar Air Show, JPL, New York City, and Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. Interesting fact: Dustin once interviewed Good Times Travel guests for his college human sexuality class.”
Tour Directors
Allen Ariza
“Allen is a passionate lover of people, good conversation, history, travel, sports and basically any potpourri of items worthy of discussion. His background is wide and varied, from recreation supervisor to teacher, historical student tour director and to current tour director with Good Times Travel for over 15 years. He enjoys nearly every travel venue but especially enjoys the multi day tours as they allow him to more fully embellish on the interesting aspects of the trips and their various and wonderful locales. Among his favorites are the incredible sites and sounds of California, its glorious peaks and valleys, its incredible seacoast and cities, its amazing redwoods and forests, and all of the wonders that make California truly the Golden State.”
Jenny Beatty
“Jenny‘s love of travel began at birth as her father was a pilot for United Airlines and her family traveled frequently. She is a graduate of Chapman University, where she had the opportunity to study abroad on the program Semester at Sea. This experience continued to ignite her love of international travel. Upon graduation, she began her career as an International Tour Director with Intrav in St. Louis, Mo, where she led alumni groups on global luxury tours. During her tenure with Intrav, she traveled to 130+ countries spanning 7 continents. She’s a mother of two extraordinary humans and one adorable, yet lazy, golden retriever. Jenny is beyond grateful she found Good Times Travel in 2022 to continue her love of leading tours! Jenny’s favorite Good Times Travel tours are all of the artsy/musical tours, Yosemite, the California central coast tours, and any tour that includes horses. A fun fact about Jenny is she has traveled around the globe by supersonic Concorde several times!”
Grace Cheng Braun
“A Southern California resident for over five decades, Grace has always loved travel. While president and CEO of Wise & Healthy Aging, a nonprofit serving older adults and caregivers in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, she created a group travel program that is still active at 20-plus years. As a group leader, Grace organized and accompanied tours to countries in Asia, Europe, South America, Canada and within the U.S. She partnered with Good Times Travel for many of the tours that her organization offered. After completing her work with WISE in 2022, Grace continued organizing group tours and became a certified ITMI (International Travel Management Institute) Tour Director and Tour Guide. Some of her favorite tour assignments are single-day excursions, river cruises and one-hotel-stay tours where guests can further explore their surroundings. When not on tour, Grace volunteers at her local YMCA, leading the senior “Twinges & Hinges” water aerobics class.”
Amy Harris
“Amy is a dedicated tour director with a passion for travel, based in Orange County, California. She holds a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in business and has enriched her educational journey with an intensive semester abroad in Europe and Russia. This experience gave her invaluable international exposure. Her curious and adventurous spirit also led her to solo backpack through Europe for six months after college. Amy has been a vital part of Good Times Travel for the past 15 years, where she brings her love of exploration to every tour. Her favorite Good Times Travel tours include the Huntington Library, JPL, Santa Barbara LotusLand and the annual orchid festival, San Diego and Coronado Island and Catalina.”
Helga Heyda
“Helga came to America from Austria at age 16. Her life has been filled with travel both nationally and internationally! Her earliest careers were in the insurance and real estate industries. She has managed a busy Real Estate office in the San Fernando Valley giving her extensive people skills. After many years it was time for a change in her professional life. One of Helga's daughters was a Tour Director with GLOBUS. She inspired her to become certified with the International Tour Management Institute. As they say "the rest is history"! Helga had the great fortune to meet the President of Good Times Travel at an ITMI symposium in 2009. It's been over 16 years during which she has traveled all over the US and Canada. She has too many favorite destinations to mention but she particularly loves tours that involve train travel and musical events. She loves California's Central Coast and it's rich history. Helga has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. GTT has become part of her "family"!”
Victoria MacMillan
“Victoria has been part of the Good Times Travel family since 2016, first working behind the scenes on the marketing team before stepping into the role of tour director. These days, much of her time is spent chasing after her two energetic young boys and nurturing a painting practice that she’s kept going for over 20 years. She still loves tour directing whenever she gets the chance—favorite trips include Death Valley Splendor, Yosemite in the Wintertime, and any tour that uncovers Los Angeles’ quirky historic gems. Fun fact: she once helped paint a set piece for the Grammys!”
Jasmin Paul
“In between working a myriad of jobs from waiting tables to sales Jasmin was a professional actress for over 25 years. She had numerous costar roles in TV shows like Falcon Crest and the very prestigious Married with Children as well as commercials, stage and voiceover. Although Jasmin abhors name dropping highlights were working with Ringo Starr, Elliott Gould, meeting Robin Williams, Tony Curtis, Bruce Willis and waiting on Elton John, Paula Abdul & Gregory Peck to name a few! Although Hollywood begged her to stay her love for travel led her to Good Times Travel where she found her passion in the work alongside a great team and wonderful people she meets on the tours. Surprise reveal: her favorite tours are Old Hollywood themes, gardens, history and new experiences. P.S. She has also travelled extensively”
Leslie Rawlings
“Leslie’s love for travel was inspired by her father and flight attendant family. After receiving a degree in Business from San Diego State University she worked in marketing/sales for a Fortune 500 company. Those 2-week vacations in the corporate world were just not cutting it though, so after 15 years she decided to parlay her skills into something she really loves….travel! When not leading Good Times Travel tours Leslie enjoys traveling with family and friends, waterskiing, snow skiing and playing tennis. Born and raised in southern California, she lives in Orange County and has 2 sons, a tennis player and a golfer. Favorite Good Times tours: Yosemite, The Dakotas. “I especially enjoy getting to know my guests while on tour and making sure they always have a great time”.”
Timi Wolf
“After graduating high school, a trip to Italy sparked Timi's love of travel. She backpacked across Europe, then spent three years working abroad in Greece, Australia, New Zealand and Wales. In 2021, she began volunteering for the walking program at Huntington Beach’s new Senior Center, later becoming a travel hostess for four years. After the pandemic, a friend introduced her to Good Times Travel, and she’s been happily traveling with them ever since. Fun fact: She once spent a summer bartending on the island of Corfu.”
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