In July 1992, Nancy Stollsteimer purchased Benchmark Travel, located in Germantown, NY. One year later, she purchased Empire Travel Consultants and eight years later she purchased Rotterdam Travel and most recently January 2005, she purchased Goldsmith Travel forming what is now Empire Travel Services located at The 20 Mall in Guilderland, NY. Beginning with a staff of 2, Empire Travel Services continued to grow to its current staff of 9. With 45 years of combined travel experience, Empire Travel Services has developed into one of the Capital District's fastest growing leisure, corporate, meeting planning and Association Management.

Tim & Nancy with James Caan at Turnberry Isle

Tim & Nancy with David Hyde Pierce at the Alzheimer's Gala

MORE ABOUT OUR STAFF....

Nancy Stollsteimer - nancy@empiretravel.com

Nancy is president and owner of Empire Meeting Solutions and Empire Travel Services, both companies a part of Benchmark Business Group.  Nancy has over two decades of experience as a leader and pioneer in the travel industry.  For the past 18+ years, Nancy has focused on the growth and development of the Benchmark Business Group model through the acquisition and successful integration of several other travel agencies.  As a NYS Certified Woman/Minority Owned Business, Nancy knows firsthand that a thriving business in the current economy is a benchmark in and of itself.

Tim Cietek - tcietek@hotmail.com

As the CEO, Tim is the right-hand to Nancy, providing valuable counsel and more than three decades of management and sales experience.  Tim has been a key component of Benchmark’s success since joining the organization in 1991.  Tim has brought to the company the insight and knowledge developed as a product manager within G.E. Corporation as well as being proprietor of a successful restaurant.  Tim holds a BS in Marketing and Management from Siena College.  Tim’s skill and dependability have enabled Nancy to rely on him as a trusted advisor.

Meaghan Corkrey - meaghan@empiremeetings.com

Meaghan graduated from Schenectady County Community College in 2005 with a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management and has been with Empire for 5 years.  During her time with Empire she has worked solely in the meetings department, specializing in corporate meetings, incentive programs and association meetings and conventions.  Some of Meaghan’s duties include contract negotiations, event logistics, food and beverage selection, room block management, onsite coordination and organizing special events.

Meaghan recently accepted the position of Vice President of Conference Services and is now part owner of Empire Travel/Empire Meeting Solutions.  She’s looking forward to upcoming travels and working towards the growth of the business.

Tina Palmer-Ottman - tina@empiretravel.com

Greg Kuritz - greg@empiretravel.com

Greg started his travel career by attending Empire State Travel School which later evolved into a job at 76 Travel and teacher at the school.  After 25 years in the business, Greg is excited to be working for Empire Travel Services.  Greg’s duties at the agency include making reservations for corporate and leisure clients, maintaining the company’s website, Facebook  and Twitter pages, and designing brochures and signage for corporate events.

Walt Disney World is one of Greg’s favorite destinations.  He looks forward to future trips to Las Vegas and Japan!

Greg is an avid movie and music fan with a CD collection of over 8,000 titles and a DVD/Blu-Ray collection of over 1000 titles!

Tara Malpass - tara@empiremeetings.com

Tara started her career with Empire Travel Services in June 2008, initially as a Travel agent handling corporate and leisure travel.  After working in the travel department for over a year, Tara accepted a position in the meetings department as Associate Meeting planner. Tara’s primary job duties include website development for Housing and Conference Registration. Tara works closely with Meaghan Corkrey, the Vice President of Conference Services, on all aspects of Conference Management.

Tara has also accepted the role as the Association Management contact for the United States Travel Insurance Association.  Tara’s duties include but are not limited to: answering the UStiA hotline, updating and managing the database, planning the Board of Directors meetings, as well as onsite conference management for the yearly Annual meeting. 

Tara’s interests include traveling, boating and spending time with family and friends. 

Nicole Roohan - nicole@empiretravel.com

SPORTS / GROUPS SPECIALIST

Karen Dominy - kzotta@aol.com

GOLF SPECIALIST

Jerry Dixon - jerry@empiretravel.com