Ozarks Profile: Sara Toombs Krutsinger

What is

your job?

Sara Toombs Krutsinger is one of five owners and a principal in The Travel Group, 1736 E. Sunshine, in Springfield. "I'm now mainly doing a lot of bookings and reservations for clientele with moderate to first-class leisure, upscale clientele and corporate travel and group travel," she said. "I'm also doing the company's public relations and business development."

Tell us

about your organization.

Krutsinger and partner Susie Cummings had owned Consulting Travel since 1986 when in August 2000 they merged the company with two other local travel agencies, Ozark World Travel and Thomas Travel, to form The Travel Group. "Three friendly competitors merged into one company," she said. "I'm now able to spend more time with our clients. We really like to know the people we do business with." The Travel Group, she said, is the only agency in the area with a consortium called "Virtuoso," which "means we have special booking privileges, benefits, and exclusive rates with certain companies."

What prepared you for work as a travel agent?

Krutsinger earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Missouri in 1976. In 1978, she began her career in the travel business. Five years later she earned her Certified Travel Counselor (CCP) designation from the Institute of Certified travel agents in Wellesley, Mass.

What's the best part of working in the travel business?

Krutsinger said that what she likes most about the travel business is the variety in dealing with a number of different suppliers, or vendors the cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, car rental companies, and airlines. "I'm not necessarily selling the same thing day in, day out," she said. "I don't always know what to expect on a day-to-day basis, with the constant changes in the travel industry. We are a personalized business in trying to match up the best product to suit our clients' individual needs."

Can you tell us something about your family and personal life?

"I was born and raised in Springfield," she said, "and I spend a lot of time with friends who've been my childhood friends for over 40 years. I enjoy reading and working out, when I can find the time. I'm actively involved in my church, Christ Episcopal. In my leisure time traveling is number one. I also enjoy the outdoors. I'm a fair-weather gardener and have a perennial garden at home. I'll probably spend the next six months gardening." She added, however, that her first love is work. "I'm addicted I get a great reward from knowing that my clients have received good information and taken pleasurable vacation trips." Krutsinger has been married for 2 1/2 years to her husband Dave, who works in the specialty advertising business. She has an 18-year-old stepson who lives in Evergreen, Colo.

by Frank Shipe