Sean K. Winton

Founder, President

Sean Winton: A Journey of Passion and Entrepreneurship

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, and growing up in the humble west coast village of Maidens, Sean embarked on a life journey that would lead him to the heart of the travel industry. At the young age of 15, Sean, along with his family, immigrated to New Hampshire, setting the stage for a life filled with adventures across the globe.

Sean’s thirst for travel was awakened at the age of 18 when he received an invitation to join a crew on a daring mission – to deliver a forty-two foot sailing vessel from Newport, RI, through the enchanting waters of Bermuda, all the way to the captivating St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The voyage itself is a tale of adventure and discovery, but what truly left an indelible mark on Sean’s spirit was the opportunity to immerse himself in the rich cultures of these two extraordinary destinations.

Having tasted the magic of travel as a young adult, Sean found himself inexorably drawn to exploring the world. However, it wasn’t until a humble departure from his first and only corporate job in 1995 that the path to a career in travel truly opened up. A summer of introspection, coupled with support from his family back in Scotland, ignited Sean’s entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to establish Fairways to Heaven Golf in 1996. This venture focused on providing clients with the opportunity to journey to Scotland and savor the pleasures of golf against a backdrop of stunning landscapes.

In 1996, Sean’s journey in the travel industry took a significant turn when he was introduced to an ex-pat executive Tony Shepherd, and he began his tenure in New York City. Here, he assumed the role of running the golf desk for travel advisors at Protravel International, a prestigious Virtuoso travel agency. These formative years on Madison Avenue honed Sean’s understanding of catering to high-net-worth and discerning clientele. He realized that travel was not just about the destinations but also about the experiences that unfolded before and after the rounds of golf.

With this insight, Sean’s entrepreneurial spirit once again led the way. In 2016, the Distincte brand then and now today, Experiences by Distincte lifestyle travel brand emerged, initially bolstered by a partnership Sean had cultivated with HSN and its subsidiary brand, Travelsmith. Over time, Experiences by Distincte evolved into a full-service travel company, powered by the passions and interests of its clients. Sean, still deeply involved in the golf travel sector, saw Experiences by Distincte as a natural progression to expand his illustrious career within the travel industry.

Today, Experiences by Distincte stands as a testament to Sean’s unwavering passion and innovation. It is a vibrant travel company that thrives on thinking outside the box, delivering tailor-made experiences to clients who place their trust in Sean’s leadership and the expertise of his dedicated team of travel advisors. Sean’s journey continues to be a celebration of uniqueness, entrepreneurship, and the boundless possibilities that travel brings.

Mary Feola

Director of Operations & Client Services

Meet Mary Feola: Director of Operations & Client Services

Mary Feola is a seasoned professional with a diverse background, bringing over two decades of expertise to her role as Director of Operations & Client Services at Experiences by Distincte. With a passion for excellence and a dedication to client satisfaction, Mary ensures that every aspect of your travel experience is meticulously planned and seamlessly executed.

Career Background: Mary’s career spans more than 20 years, with a significant portion devoted to Customer Service. She honed her skills working for a global telecommunication company, where she managed accounts for corporate giants like Walgreens and 3M. As a corporate liaison and Account Manager, Mary handled their day-to-day activities, providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships.

Event Management and Philanthropy: Mary’s dedication to making a positive impact extends to her 12 years of Event Management and coordination. She has been an instrumental force behind numerous charitable initiatives, coordinating events for organizations like Valspar, Gasparilla, NFL’s Ryan Nece and Vincent Jackson, and NHL’s Ryan Callahan. Her expertise in fundraising events has helped raise vital funds for various charitable causes.

Business Development Expert:

With over four years of experience with a Professional Golf Event Company, Mary expanded her horizons in Business Development and Tournament Operations. Her role involved setting up golf tournaments across the United States for corporate-held events, all with the noble aim of raising funds for charitable endeavors. Mary’s love for golf, coupled with her commitment to philanthropy, allowed her to make a significant impact in the world of professional golf events.

Client-Centric Approach: Mary is known for her warm and welcoming personality, a trait that complements her love for meeting new people. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence shine through in every interaction. She goes above and beyond to ensure that each event and client experience not only meets but surpasses all expectations.

As Director of Operations & Client Services at Experiences by Distincte, Mary Feola plays a pivotal role in crafting memorable and extraordinary travel experiences. Her dedication, wealth of experience, and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction ensure that your journey is nothing short of exceptional. Mary is the driving force behind the scenes, orchestrating every detail to perfection and transforming your travel dreams into unforgettable realities.

Karen O’Neill

Director of Global Real Estate & Discovery Travel

Sandra Romeo

Director of Business

Sandra has a passion for travel and decades of experience in sales and marketing within the travel industry. She has expertise within various segments of the business, and has worked with hotels, cruise lines, destinations, and a travel agency consortia. She also had a career stint in international marketing, brand management and research having worked for consumer goods companies Pepsi and Gillette while living overseas. While not an experienced golfer, Sandra did take her first golf lesson ever while she was an expat in Russia . . . she now has her sights on taking more lessons in the near future and her “bucket list” of travel always seems to get longer rather than shorter!

Mike DiCarlo

Inspired Traveler, Travel Advisor

Mike DiCarlo’s illustrious career has been punctuated by remarkable achievements, particularly in his extensive experience as a marketing, strategy, financial, and business development executive. His love for luxury and experiential travel is evident, having logged over 2 million miles in the air, exploring every corner of the globe.

A highlight in DiCarlo’s travel repertoire is his participation in the 1997 Ryder Cup in Valderrama, Spain, where he was among the privileged passengers aboard the iconic Concorde. Recounting the experience with a touch of humor, he notes that the journey to Spain was far more jovial than the return. This anecdote encapsulates not only his wealth of travel experiences but also his ability to infuse levity into even the most prestigious of occasions.

Beyond his jet-setting adventures, DiCarlo has successfully owned and managed Monarch House, a home letting business in St Andrews for 15 years. During this time, he facilitated golf and lifestyle experiences for over 1,500 delighted clients. Additionally, he served as a consultant with St Andrews Grand, an iconic luxury residential property overlooking the Old Course’s 18th green.

Sean Winton, Founder and President of Distincte Travel Group, expresses his excitement about DiCarlo joining the team. Having known each other for nearly 20 years, Winton sees DiCarlo as a valuable addition, someone whose extensive travel and business backgrounds will play a pivotal role in further establishing the Distincte brand and expanding the Inspired Traveler community.

DiCarlo’s rich experience in Scotland, Italy, Portugal, and Continental Europe, coupled with his extensive network in the US and UK, positions him as an invaluable asset to the Experiences by Distincte team.  Now a seasoned Travel Advisor within Distincte’s Inspired Traveler community, Michael DiCarlo continues to weave his wealth of experience into the fabric of Distincte’s journey, promising to elevate the brand and create distinctive travel experiences for his clients.

Paul Cormack, LPGA Tour Caddie - Lydia Ko

Brand Ambassador (Golf Inspired)

John Brown

Director of The Ambassador Program

John Brown, a seasoned traveler with over 35 years of globetrotting experience, takes the helm as the Director of Golf Inspired’s Ambassador Program (a Division of Distincte Travel Group). His vast expertise, both from a business and personal perspective, has taken him to destinations across the world, making him a valuable asset to our team.

Throughout his extensive travels, John has explored not only the diverse landscapes of the United States but also international gems, including Scotland, Ireland, England, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Norway, Iceland, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, and the Dominican Republic. These journeys have allowed him to cultivate a deep understanding of various cultures, cuisines, and the rich tapestry of global experiences.

After retiring from a distinguished career spanning over three decades as an operational business consultant and entrepreneur, John brings his wealth of knowledge to Golf Inspired. His operational expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and golf hospitality experience, coupled with a vast network of business and personal connections, position him to spearhead the development of our Golf Inspired Ambassador program.

John’s professional journey has seen him as an integral part of the executive leadership team in several startup operational consulting companies, as well as being at the helm of a few ventures in the golf industry. His role has extended to being a valued customer of Distincte Travel for the past 20 years, solidifying his passion for both golf and travel.

In the past quarter-century, John has founded multiple businesses within the golf industry. These enterprises have ranged from offering golf training services to elite touring professionals to providing corporate hospitality services at major golf events and curating golf travel experiences for his extensive network of personal and business associates. Notably, John has been entrusted with the entertainment of corporate executives at prestigious events such as the US Open, OPEN Championships, PGA Championships, Ryder Cup, and other PGA Tour events.

John’s unwavering passion for golf and travel has led him to Golf Inspired, where he aims to share these exceptional experiences with individuals who share his fervor for both. His profound love for golf and other “Passion Points,” including culinary delights, fine wine and whiskey, native cultures, and history, fuels his desire to not only send customers to incredible destinations but to ensure they authentically EXPERIENCE them.

In his role as Director of Ambassador Membership, John shoulders the responsibility of managing relationships with Golf Inspired Ambassadors. This multifaceted role encompasses the recruitment, interviewing, assessment, and ongoing management of our Ambassadors. Additionally, John plays a pivotal role in nurturing and strengthening our partnerships with Destination Partners, facilitating the organization of Golf Inspired Discovery Tours for our Ambassadors, and providing them with the knowledge and tools to effectively market and promote these destinations to their networks of friends and colleagues.

With John Brown at the helm of our Ambassador Program, Golf Inspired is poised to deliver unparalleled experiences that blend golf, travel, and the richness of global culture. Join us on this extraordinary journey, and let us help you EXPERIENCE the world of golf and experiential travel like never before.

Mark Berry

Director of Marketing

Mark brings experience in digital marketing and advertising to his role as Marketing Director. With a background as a social media specialist for his university’s programs page and three years of active involvement with the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising Competition, Mark has honed his skills in copywriting, digital advertising, social media management, data analytics, and graphic design.

Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Mario J Gabelli School of Business at Roger Williams University, Mark is passionate about utilizing his expertise to develop engaging and impactful marketing campaigns. His responsibilities include managing social media channels, curating website content, crafting engaging newsletters, and overseeing advertising initiatives.

Beyond the boardroom, Mark finds joy in competitive pickleball matches, games of ultimate frisbee, and cross country road trips. His adventurous spirit and creative mindset make him an invaluable asset to the team.

Taylor Dudley

Marketing Executive

Taylor is part of today’s new generation of travelers whose passion for this industry has only just begun. He is also our resident foodie with dreams of seeking gastronomic pleasures set in the planet’s more interesting destinations…Bangkok’s Chinatown, Istanbul’s city food tour, and to hang out with with Berlin’s best street food experts at Markthalle Nuen are high on his must visit and “eat” list!  Although Taylor’s career in travel is just getting started, his key role at Distincte is in our sales and marketing division. Taylor is also one of our Inspired Traveler members and if you ever find yourself visiting his home town of St. Pete, see where recommends to eat and drink.