Clark Kotula
Founder and South America Portfolio Director
I resided in Cusco, Peru for 10 years – working as a freelance guide and operations manager for numerous local and international tour operators; leading whitewater rafting trips, trekking expeditions, luxury FIT groups and journalists on assignment throughout Central and South America.
After moving to San Francisco in 2007, I worked for the award winning tour operator, Geographic Expeditions, for five years. In my role as Managing Director for Latin America, I was responsible for trip development, sales, and marketing of all trips in Central and South America while leading new cutting edge departures for the company. During my tenure at Geographic Expeditions, I was fortunate to be recognized, three years consecutively, by Conde Nast Traveler as the world's top travel specialist for Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.
Together with my wife Jacqueline, we founded the non-profit organization “Dental Project Peru” in 2001. The charity provides free emergency dental care and education to the poorest indigenous communities of the Peruvian Andes. I also serve on the Board of Directors for the travel industry’s first “cause corporation” Stoke Broker/First Descents.
I studied at Prescott College in Arizona where I obtained a dual degree in Latin American Studies and Outdoor Program Administration.
Between frequent travels, I reside in the San Francisco Bay Area with my wife and two young boys. I am an avid traveler, surfer, kite-boarder, mountain biker, scuba diver and filmmaker.
Instagram: @clarkkotula
Email: clark@clarkkotula.com
Phone/Whatsapp: +1 415 572-0662
Turney Maurer
CENTRAL AMERICA PORTFOLIO DIRECTOR
I’m a proud fifth generation Texan and have lived in the Austin area my entire life.
Growing up in Austin, my life revolved around football. I won two State Championships as running back for Lake Travis High School and earned a scholarship to play at Texas Lutheran University. After quitting football, I transferred to TSU in beautiful San Marcos and returned to my passion of travel and outdoor exploration.
My career in travel began in 2015 when I started working for Paragon Expeditions, a tour operator specializing in Latin America. My time with Paragon had me both developing and leading trips. I then went on to become the North American Sales and Marketing Director for Latin Excursions, a specialized tour operator also focusing exclusively on Latin America. This role had me out networking with advisors to promote their services and products.
During my time working for both tour operators, Clark Kotula Representation was an invaluable asset in helping me discover new and unique experiences to offer my clients and teaching me how to sell them. I was fortunate to be a participant on FAM trips to Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos and Panama, all organized by Clark Kotula Representation
When I’m not traveling or helping my clients, you can find me every morning, at sunrise, swimming in Barton Springs Pool in Austin. This is usually followed by a mountain bike ride in the Hill Country, wakeboarding on Lake Travis, or floating the San Marcos river. In the evening, you might find me at Gruene Hall enjoying live music while washing down a mouth full of queso with a cold Shiner Bock.
Fun Fact: People love to give me nicknames, in the US my nickname is “Turndogg” but my name is impossible to pronounce for most Spanish speakers. The closest English word to Turney is Turkey, and for that people call me “Pavo Loco” (Crazy Turkey)
Instagram: @turneys_journeys
Email: turney@clarkkotula.com
Phone/Whatsapp: +1 512 264-4094
Whitney James
Communications & PR
I handle website content, newsletters, press releases and content creation for Clark Kotula Representation.
Based in Colorado, I make adventure travel a priority whether it’s in my own backyard or afar. Recent travels include the rainforest and Andes in Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Colombia’s coffee region, and Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.
With a degree in philosophy and background in digital marketing, I’ve combined my passion for the written word with the outdoor industry.
I was managing editor of Outside Magazine’s Summer Buyer’s Guide, and I now write for publications like Osprey, Visit USA Parks, REI, Huckberry, and beyond. Previous to working with Clark Kotula, I was marketing manager for the travel company Outside GO.
I’m also a brand ambassador and have worked with brands like Hilton DoubleTree, Smartwool, Kuat, Forsake, and Breckenridge Tourism.
The properties Clark represents each have a unique story to tell, and that is my focus. I help each to identify what makes them unique in the all too often “noisy” travel scene, and tell that story with conviction.
Instagram: @whitwithgrit
Email: whitney@clarkkotula.com