Operations, Development and Finance Teams Thrive
Three talented women lead the Operations, Development and Finance teams for the MTC Family of Brands. Read more about their impact below.
In seven years with MTC’s Operations team, Jeni Burgett has built a career around organization and efficiency. With a background in accounting and finance, her ability to manage complex logistics ensures smooth trips for thousands of students.
“The best advice I can give a new operations specialist is to enjoy any time you have during the offseason because the busy season will be here before you know it,” Jeni said.
One of her biggest challenges came during a training trip to NYC when a blizzard shut down the New Jersey Turnpike. “We had to find hotel rooms for 150 travelers overnight,” she said. “Thanks to our team back at the office who found two hotels to house everyone and rebooked a few things, we made it to the city only one day late. The group performed at Carnegie Hall as scheduled and the only event we missed was seeing the Statue of Liberty. It was a successful trip in the end.”
“Being able to help others – from the travelers to the client to all of my coworkers – is what brings me the most joy.”
Jeni Burgett, Assistant Director of Trip Operations – Music Travel Consultants
“I told Mark Harting [CEO] about a year after starting at MTC that I had searched my whole life trying to figure out what I wanted to do ‘when I grew up’ and I finally felt like I had found the place where I am able to use my talents and skills fully along with enjoying the work that I am doing,” she said.
From chaperoning trips to leading Trip Development, Terie Thompson has worn many hats during her decade with MTC. Currently serving as Assistant Director of Trip Development, she has a talent for balancing countless details while fostering a collaborative work environment.
“For the work itself, the ability to filter through countless details to select those most pertinent to specific trips is vital,” Thompson said. “For the staff, learning ways to compassionately communicate with each other is a skill that we continuously pursue.”
Terie loves the SYTA annual conference, where she can connect with vendors and industry colleagues face-to-face. “I met an amazing vendor at my very first SYTA, and seven years later, he reached out to me for MTC to partner with the American Museum of Natural History,” she said. “They wanted to explore the possibility of offering the museum as a performance venue for student groups. As a result, we have two groups inaugurating their performance program. It’s really exciting!”
“Travel allows us to see the world through new lenses.”
Terie Thompson, Assistant Director of Trip Development – Music Travel Consultants
Her most memorable moment came while chaperoning a trip to Washington, D.C., where a student was on a mission to find his grandfather’s tombstone at Arlington National Cemetery. “The student was so moved,” Terie said. “We gave this young man time alone at the gravesite, where he reverently laid a few coins on top of the headstone and knelt down to talk to his grandfather. It was an experience to remember, for him and for me.”
Balancing numbers, deadlines and an ever-moving workload, Jennifer Richart has become an integral part of the MTC team. Her journey, which began in 2020, has been marked by growth, leadership and, of course, a steady supply of office candy.
Starting as a Finance Specialist, Jennifer quickly transitioned into Trip Accounts, where her expertise in multi-tasking and customer relations became invaluable. By August 2024, she had earned a promotion to Assistant Director of Trip Accounts.
March is one of the busiest times of the year, with nearly 100 groups needing final invoices and payments processed. “Phones ringing, emails coming in and tasks all needing done at the same time can get overwhelming,” she said. “It can be crazy, but I’ve got a great team to count on!”
“Providing customers with clear answers and great service is what keeps everything moving.”
Jennifer Richart, Assistant Director of Trip Accounts – Music Travel Consultants
For Jennifer, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing trips paid in full before departure. “I view it as a personal goal to get all accounts to zero as much as possible,” she said.
When it comes to personal travel aspirations, Jennifer hopes to venture west to Colorado or California, or even overseas to London.
