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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
With Site59's CEO ~ Michelle Peluso

PROFILE

By the time she was 27, Michelle Peluso had built her first business, graduated from Wharton Summa Cum Laude, received her Masters in Economics from Oxford, started a non-profit, been the first woman double promoted at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG, the 3,000 person global business strategy consultancy), served as a White House Fellow, and ran a $10 billion portfolio as Senior Advisor to the White House Secretary of Labor. At 30, Michelle Peluso serves as CEO of Site59, (www.Site59.com), a last minute travel website that delivers unforgettable travel choices for consumers, travel agents, organizations and corporations, creating the most precious commodity for all - time.

Peluso has steered Site59 since its inception, developing the concept into a distinct and innovative brand, appealing to airlines, hotels, car rentals, and specialty providers worldwide. Under her guidance, the company also launched a dynamic ASP strategy attracting valuable Internet partners to increase the distribution channels for the company’s unique last minute getaways. Peluso has successfully closed financing with prominent investors, attracted more than 2500 partners and established Site59 as a favorite of CNN, U.S. News & World Report, New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Fortune, Industry Standard and many more. Forbes named Site59 one of the best online travel sites in its “Best of the Web” issue (2/26/01), while PC Magazine lauded Site59 as the top travel site in its “Best of the Web - Top 100 Websites” issue (2/01).

“Our business model is so attractive because we understand selling travel from the perspective of all pertinent parties, from agents to airlines, bargain-hunting consumers and busy professionals and we offer a value proposition for all of them.” - Michelle Peluso.

Not only has Peluso created her own dream job of making the world a better place for busy people, she has a definitively modern management style that breeds a human-resources haven. All employees are encouraged to take Site59 weekends away at a discount. In addition to setting team goals and sharing words of wisdom every Monday in staff meetings, Peluso has office bonding art workshops, creating an environment where creativity and productivity rule.

Most recently, Peluso was named as the 2001 Technology Person of the Year by Travel Agent Magazine. Previously, the publication had selected her as a Rising Star and one of the Most Powerful Women in Travel. Peluso is also a member of the Executive Roundtable of NYNMA, the New York New Media Association. A human rights activist and community supporter, Peluso sits on the Board of a Long Island AIDS home, Christa House, and has participated as a big sister since the age of 17. A travel enthusiast, Peluso has worked and spent time in 40 different countries, including Brazil, Vietnam, Cambodia, Senegal, and all of Europe.

MICHELLE'S ANSWERS

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
about 15-25 trips per year, depending on how spontaneous I can be
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
Lots!
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
good old Coach
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
As a partner of several of the top airlines, I can't answer that without getting into a lot of trouble!
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Smaller planes, so I can imagine all my companion's life stories before we land.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Amelia Island Plantation - I've been going every year since childhood and think it is the most wonderful, nearby escape. But, Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is also a fantastic treat.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Tall, handsome baggage carriers?
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Ronald Reagan as the views are just spectacular as you come in to land. It sounds horribly cliched, but having spent time in the White House, coming in to land at Ronald Regan always makes me proud to be an American
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Paris Charles deGaulle or London Heathrow as they make shopping to buy my young cousins souvenirs from trips simple and fun.
FAVORITE CITY?
New York, my hometown, is my favorite place. But a very close second is Florence, Italy
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Raoul's in New York - just a small, cozy, authentic French restaurant in the Village
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle as I hate sitting still for too long
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Definitely, absolutely, positively e-ticket. What's a paper ticket?
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Online, definitely. However, I love to use travel agents when I'm planning complex trips. This summer, 25 family members met up in Barcelona for a 10 day cruise, and the agent we used to help us with all of our plans was excellent.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Site59, of course! The best place to get fantastic last-minute deals.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
either my 9 year-old cousin Kealy, or if she can't get out of school, then Virginia Woolf, Gabriel Garcia-Marquez, Jeanette Winterson, Pablo Neruda, DH Lawrence, etc.!
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Hmm . . . that sounds wonderful! Where can I sign up? I guess I'd take:
an enormous bottle of suntan lotion
the complete works of Shakespeare
and an inflatable raft (which I'd probably avoid using for at least 10 days or so!)
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Get off the couch this weekend, and live spontaneously!