About Us

At age nine, Tony Maupin was pulling his makeshift wagon around his Raleigh neighborhood selling homegrown figs to his neighbors. While a student at The Citadel, he had a "junk food" business selling hotdogs and cheese sandwiches to his battalion freshmen.

Business came early to Tony, and so did adventure.

When Tony earned his BA degree in history from The Citadel in 1970, he was commissioned a US Army second lieutenant and served as an armored tank officer in Germany. Tony credits the military as the place where he learned the leadership and people skills that have inspired his dedicated team of agents to perform so well for Maupin Travel's clients.

Tony left the military in 1972 and entered Martin Marietta Aggregate's management trainee program, further enhancing his people skills. In the northern Georgia rock quarries, Tony learned about the value of hard work, long hours, and teamwork.

The lure of adventure and desire to work for himself led him to a travel agent job in Raleigh. Tony's experience as a travel agent was essential in giving him the confidence and experience to fulfill his goal and life dream of starting his own company.

In 1979, he and two other agents opened Maupin Travel in downtown Raleigh. More than thirty years later, Maupin Travel has over 40 employees and more than 250 corporate accounts.

Tony earned his Certified Travel Consultant certification in 1981 and his Destination Specialist certification for the Caribbean in 1992. In 2007, he became a certified space agent, one of only a handful of agents worldwide selling space travel. He is the recipient of many awards, including being recognized by President Clinton in 1996 for heroism during post Hurricane Fran, the Paul Harris Rotary Foundation Award, and the Silver Beaver by the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Tony is very active in the community and has served on the boards for Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Downtown Development Corporation, Eastern North Carolina ICTA Forum, fundraising for Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina, and fundraising for St. Mary's School. He also has served as President of the Travel Agents of the Carolinas and the Raleigh Little Theatre and has served on the Advisory Board of Travel and Leisure Magazine.

 

Growing up in a family of 12 children provided Al with many valuable "life lessons." These lessons - teamwork, communication, a strong work ethic, and recognizing the value of a dollar - have carried over to Al's professional life. He calls on these traits daily as the Executive Vice President of Maupin Travel.

Al has made his career in the travel and tourism industry. After graduating with a B.S. in journalism, majoring in Public Relations & Advertising from Ohio University in 1977, he spent nine years as Sales Director for two of America's largest theme parks. Upon moving to Raleigh in 1986, Al joined the staff of the newly-formed Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he served as Director of Sales and Marketing until 1997. In 1997, Al joined Maupin Travel as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing and later became the Executive Vice President.

In his capacity as Executive Vice President, Al is responsible for the overall planning and execution of the corporate sales and marketing activities for the company. As a key assistant to the President, he also is heavily involved in the overall operations picture, including the development of the annual budget, the marketing and business plan, and strategic planning for the company.

Al earned his Certified Travel Associate (CTA) certification in 1999 and served on the Board of Directors of the Travel Agents of the Carolinas from 1998 until 2002. Al also served on the Board of North Carolina Special Olympics from 1992 through 2000 and was responsible for initiating a successful bid for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in the Research Triangle Region.

He is also actively involved in several community and civic organizations as well as St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in North Raleigh.

 

Julia joined Maupin Travel in 1982 after working with Piedmont Airlines. Prior to working with Piedmont Airlines, she graduated from High Point College with a degree in Business Administration.

As Vice President of Operations, Julia is responsible for the operational functions of the company which include customer service, training, account retention, and human resources. She also assists the President and Executive Vice President in the formulation of internal programs and policies as well as strategic planning for Maupin’s continued growth.

Julia earned her Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) certification in 1995. She also is certified as a Destination Specialist (DS) for Western Europe and the Caribbean .

In 1999, Julia was one of six travel professionals in the United States to be awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA).

 

Julie joined Maupin Travel in January 2008 after working as a financial administrator in the interior design/furniture industry for more than twenty years. She was co-owner of National Art Interiors and Fine Furnishings, Inc. in Raleigh from 2002-2006.

A High Point native, Julie attended Meredith College and graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management.

As Financial Administrator, Julie is responsible for managing the accounting department, preparing financial statements, assisting in budgeting, administering the 401(k) retirement plan, administering the health insurance program, payroll and overseeing airline reporting.